Are you seeing the new Code of Practice as an Opportunity or a Threat?
Are you feeling under pressure to take action to fulfil the new requirements of managing Psychosocial Hazards? If so, you are not alone. Many workplaces are experiencing uncertainty and confusion as they try to come to grips with what this new Psychosocial Hazards at Work Code of Practice means in reality.
With psychological health now elevated to the same level as physical health and safety, what needs to happen and who is responsible and accountable for taking action? As HR/WHS professionals we feel the weight of that responsibility, but is this correct? If indeed this is our role, are we viewing this new challenge as a threat or an opportunity?
Chances are we are seeing it as a threat. We are already busy. This is more work, not less, and it has the worry of compliance behind it. When our brains are operating in threat mode, however, we don’t have access to our best thinking. We lose perspective, see many more negatives than positives and we often feel alone in making any change. Our focus is on surviving, not thriving.
So, let’s take a different approach and look at this issue differently – as an opportunity to gain the benefits of developing a mentally healthy workplace where everyone is given the support to manage their own wellbeing, optimise their performance and thrive.
Implementing strategy in this space makes good business sense – reducing absenteeism, presenteeism and compensation claims, and increasing employee engagement and productivity. Making this everyone’s opportunity, however, also makes it a shared responsibility and this means a less lonely route for HR and WHS specialists.
Proactive Prevention Focus – Let’s Change the Game
Let’s start by getting some perspective first. It is important to remind ourselves that we are not starting from scratch. Most workplaces have already taken great steps to protect people’s safety. Many have also implemented wellbeing initiatives. This Code provides a catalyst to integrate and build on these.
It also offers an opportunity to equip leaders and their team members with the knowledge and strategies to take responsibility for their own health, wellbeing, productivity and performance. This approach not only offers a greater chance of success, it also means we can more clearly share the accountability for meeting psychosocial needs.
So, how can organisations support their people in dealing with psychosocial hazards and the day-to-day challenges of –
- performing effectively under high levels of stress
- maintaining focus and staying productive
- building resilience to cope with unprecedented change
- looking after their own and their team’s mental, social, and physical wellbeing
- dealing productively with stress
A Gamechanger – Promote Team Member Wellbeing and Encourage Self-Care
This is the key area where you can start making a difference now. By helping people understand how their brain works and applying brain-based insights, leaders and team members can learn ways to –
- manage stress
- build resilience
- think and work smarter to be more productive
- manage emotions to remain calm under pressure
- develop adapt-ability to be more agile in dealing with change
- have greater focus and manage key resources of energy and focus
This is the focus of our Gamechanger program which has been designed using the latest findings from neuroscience and is presented in ways that help the brain learn best. The information shared is relevant and practical and the insights extend from the workplace to families and communities beyond.
8 engaging online interactive lessons are delivered in bite-sized chunks of 10 to 15 mins each and are supported by live webinars with learning spaced out over time. The lessons cover the following topics –
- Welcome to your Amazing Brain
- The Power of Neuroplasticity
- Balancing the Negativity Bias
- Building Change Agility
- Your Brain and Stress
- Prioritising your Self Care
- Powering up your Productivity
- Boosting your Resilience
These lessons are accessible anywhere, anytime, on phone, tablet or laptop, to enable learning on the go.
Having a common shared language to talk about stress and wellbeing enables meaningful conversations both at work and at home, and taking this as a proactive approach to support health and wellbeing, enables people to thrive across all areas of their life.
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
The reason this is a Gamechanger? The Gamechanger program is not about managing ill health and it is not about mental health first aid. It is also not about the threat of legislation or compensation. It is about the opportunity to help human beings flourish, be their best at work and take an active role in the wellbeing of themselves and others.
Knowledge of how their brains work, how to manage their own mental states, energy and health will empower your team members. People can understand how to thrive and that is changing the game!
Start a conversation with Anne Paterson, creator and facilitator of Gamechanger, to start your organisation’s journey to wellness today.
Phone Anne on 0417 231 494 or email anne@rtpeople.com.au
