The standards regarding Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, according to the OOHNA Journal, Fall 2012 edition, is the first of its kind in the world! Although, this is considered to be voluntary (so far), it does provide a template for employers in Canada to address mental health issues, a topic we seem to be hearing more and more about.  This is not a new subject but unfortunately for some it may seem this way. My guess, at some point this will not be a voluntary process – who knows, it may even be included in the OHS Act?!

As stated in the OOHNA Journal, the author, Kathy Jurgens, states that the Mental Health Commission of Canada, feels that employers have a responsibility to ensure the workplace is psychologically safe. I agree 100% however, employers are struggling now with managing physical safety despite the efforts of numerous associations and government regulations. There is also a fairly large stigma, still, about psychological issues – people shy away from this – some think it’s bogus, some think it happens to other people, some don’t want to even know about it or have to deal with it.

In today’s times, let’s face it, many people are stressed to the max with one thing or another.  When it rains, its pours – is all too common a feeling when you are dealing with psychological issues.  It just keeps on coming – everything is overwhelming – so, at the end of the day, who really wants to tell their workplace they are having anxiety about one more task they need to complete, or one more meeting they need to attend, or one more deadline they need to meet.  Yikes!  Too much already.

Over the past 14 years in private practice, I have seen companies perform a major restructuring of their resources, processes, systems and expect their employees to keep up, then wonder why their disability costs are soaring, absenteeism is out of control and workplace accidents are still happening. Everyone is attached to some mobile device 24/7.  So when do you ever get a chance to have a weekend – you know the kind that we all looked forward to – where you can kick back, enjoy a few cold ones with family and friends, and not worry about what is on your desk, or that someone is looking for some report.

I agree wholeheartedly with Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace Standards but there is so much more employers can do today, that can make their work environment psychologically safe. Unfortunately it isn’t being done – even the simplest of suggestions aren’t being implemented.  You have to ask yourself why.  At the end of the day, everyone knows that we all need to recharge our batteries, that our wages definitely do not cover all the hours we put in, nor does it come even close to making up for the damage we do to our families, friends when work decides it is #1 in our lives.  I love working with employers because I believe they have the capacity to make an enormous impact on their employees’ lives.  One small endeavor at a time. One employee at a time. Decide how you, the corporation, is going to make a difference. It is a win-win situation.  Happier employees will produce more, attend work regularly and are engaged in their performance.  Now who doesn’t want those side effects?

Related articles