The Psychosocial Risk Factors and Employee Mental Health

Did You Know...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month

How Is Your Company Promoting Mental Health

What specific issues in the workplace affect employee mental health?

Several key issues, called Psychosocial Risk Factors have been shown to have a significant effect on employee mental health, overall organizational health, and the financial bottom line.

Psychological Support - A workplace where co-workers and supervisors are supportive of employees' psychological and mental health concerns, and respond appropriately as needed.
Organizational Culture which is characterized by trust, honesty and fairness
Clear Leadership & Expectations helps employees know what they need to do, how their work contributes to the organization and whether there are impending changes.
Civility & Respect create a positive atmosphere marked by high spirits and work satisfaction.
Psychological Job Fit between employees' interpersonal and emotional competencies, their job skills and the position they hold.
Growth & Development that provides a range of internal and external opportunities for employees to build their repertoire of competencies.
Recognition & Reward of employees' efforts in a fair and timely manner.
Involvement & Influence where employees feel they have meaningful input into their work.
Workload Management where tasks and responsibilities can be accomplished successfully within the time available.
Engagement where employees enjoy and feel connected to their work and where they feel motivated to do their job well.
Balance is strived for and the employee is recognized as having to deal with the demands of work, family and personal life.
Psychological Protection and psychological safety is demonstrated when employees feel able to put themselves on the line, ask questions, seek feedback, report mistakes and problems, or propose a new idea without fearing negative consequences to themselves, their job or their career.
Protection of Physical Safety including policies, training, appropriate response to incidents or situations identified as risks.

These Psychosocial Risk Factors promote workers' mental well being and an organization's commitment to minimizing these risk factors has to start with support from the leadership team in order to truly become a part of the fabric of the organization. A Comprehensive Workplace Wellness Program addresses these areas to ensure that an organization fulfills their duty to do no harm.

For more information about these Psychosocial Risk Factors, please see the OSH http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/mentalhealth_risk.html

Mental Health Month
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