Transcript Workplace Wellness

Mental Health in the
Workplace
Psychological Health and Safety
ICE BREAKER
What comes to mind when
you hear the term
“MENTAL HEALTH”
(Hint: There Are No Wrong Answers)
Why is it Important?
Mental health related illnesses are the leading
cause of workplace disability in Canada
Mental health claims are the fastest growing
category of disability costs in Canada
20% of Canadian workers experience a stress
related illness every year
Canadian workplaces lose upwards of 20 Billion
dollars per year due to mental health disorders
Employers may be at risk of liability for mental
injuries sustained by employees
Legal Liability
Employee Vs Wal-mart
Windsor Ontario:
-October 2012 former Wal-mart assistant manager awarded $1.46 million
-Subject to profane and insulting mental abuse from May to November 2009
(including being called “a (expletive) idiot”
and being made to count skids in front of others to prove she could count.)
$200,000 for intentional infliction of mental suffering, $1 million for
punitive damages, and $10,000 for assault; and from [her direct
supervisor], $100,000 for intentional infliction of mental suffering, and
$150,000 for punitive damages.
She received nothing for alleged sexual harassment and discrimination.
Oct 10, 2012 : http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/10/10/walmart-must-pay-1-4-million-for-mistreating-employee/
Why is it Important?
• 1.23 million Canadians indicate they have been
harassed at work (7% of the workforce) -Ipsos Reid survey
• 500,000 people every day are away from work due to
a mental health issue (stress, illness, injury)
– Of these, between one quarter and one third are
away because of real or perceived relationship
problems in the workplace that affect their mental
wellbeing.
Source: Dr. Martin Shain
Impacts of Unhealthy Work Environments
2X
Substance
Abuse
2X - 3X
Injuries
3X
Risk of
Heart
Problems
High Demand
Low Control
and/or
High Effort
Low Reward
2X - 3X
Infections
2X - 3X
Mental
Health
Problems
3X
Back
Pain
5X
Certain
Cancers
2X - 3X
Conflicts
Source: Dr. Martin Shain
Playing Catching Up
Physical Health
and Safety
in the
Workplace
Vs
Psychological
Health
Mental Health
and
in Safety
the
in the
Workplace
Workplace
Psychological Health and
Safety Standard
“Specifies requirements for
a documented and
systematic approach to
develop and sustain
psychologically a healthy
workplace”
http://shop.csa.ca/
Psychologically Healthy and Safe
Workplace?
Definition:
“A workplace that promotes worker’s
psychological well-being and actively
works to prevent harm to worker
psychological health including negligent,
reckless, or intentional ways.”
Psychological Health and Safety
Management System
Includes:
•Commitment,
Leadership and
Participation,
•Planning
•Implementation
•Evaluation and
corrective action
•Management review
Workplace Factors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Organizational Culture is Psychologically
Healthy and Safe
Psychological and Social Support
Clear Leadership and Expectations
Civility and Respect
Psychological Demands
Growth and Development
Recognition and Reward
Involvement and Influence
Workload Management
Engagement
Balance
Psychological Protection
Protection of Physical Safety
Annex A: Workplace Factors
Psychological and social support comprises all supportive social interactions
available at work, either with co-workers or supervisors. It refers to the degree of social and
emotional integration and trust among co-workers and supervisors. It refers also to the level
of help and assistance provided by others when one is performing tasks. Equally important
are the workers’ perceptions and awareness of organizational support. When workers
perceive organizational support, it means they believe their organization values their
contributions, is committed to ensuring their psychological well-being, and provides
meaningful support if this well-being is compromised.
An organization with good psychological and social support would be able to state that
a) the organization offers services or benefits that address worker psychological and mental health;
b) workers feel part of a community and that the people they are working with are helpful in
fulfilling the job requirements;
c) the organization has a process in place to intervene if an employee looks distressed while at
work;
d) workers feel supported by the organization when they are dealing with personal or family issues;
e) the organization supports workers who are returning to work after time off due to a mental
health condition; and
f) people in the organization have a good understanding of the importance of worker mental
health.
Annex B: Resources for Building a Psychological Health
and Safety Framework
Annex C: Sample Implementation Models
Annex D: Implementation Scenarios for small
and large enterprises
Annex E: Sample Audit Tool
Annex F: Discussion of Relevant Legislation or Regulation
Annex G: Related Standards and Reference Documents
Discussion
• Divide into Smaller Groups.
• Pick a workplace factor that your group feels has
the greatest impact on individuals.
1) How would you address this factor in a workplace?
2) Potential barriers to addressing this factor in a
workplace?
3) What are some solutions to overcome the barriers?
• Share as a group
Resources
KFL&A Public Health Resources
Health Promotion
Strategies
Comprehensive Workplace Health Promotion
Occupational
Health &
Safety
Voluntary
Health
Practice
Awareness
Raising
Skill Building and
Motivation
Environmental
Support
(Opportunities)
Organizational
Culture
Free Resource!
Policy
Development
Psychological Health
and Safety Standard
Canadian Standards
Association/ Bureau de
Normalisation du Québec
National Standard:
Psychological Health and
Safety in the workplace
http://shop.csa.ca/
Free Resource!
Canadian Mental Health Association
Action Guide
•Policy writing
•Planning
•Promotion
•Prevention:
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
•Process
•Persistence
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Free Resource!
Mental Health Works
http://www.mentalhealthworks.ca/
Platform that offers assistance, support, training and
education to individuals, families, employers and unions
with regard to
•Understanding, prevention, management and treatment of mental illness,
mental disability and mental injury in the workplace
•Promotion of mental health in the workplace
•On-line resources; Live workshops and training sessions; On-site consultations;
Webinars; Services offered directly or via training of trainers
(from a one hour session to a 5 day program)
(Some free resources, Some have a fee associated)
Great West Life Resources
www.workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com
Free Resource!
Guarding Minds @ Work
www.guardingmindsatwork.ca
Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA)
Commissioned and Funded by Great West Life
Free Resource!
Upcoming Events
Your Workplace Conference 2013:
•June 5-6, 2013. Kingston Ontario
•www.yourworkplace.ca
Subscribe to KFL&A Public Health
Living Well Newsletter:
•Practical wellness related articles and
•Up to date information regarding events
Thank you for your interest in the
Wellness of your Workplace
Call the Living Well line at 613-549-1232 ext. 1180
or 1-800-267-7875 ext. 1180
Email: [email protected]