Over the past decade, there is an increasing focus on workplace psychological health and wellbeing. Workplace health and safety legislation now applies equally to the psychological dimension of the work environment. Positive psychology approaches build on organisational climate research that links employee wellbeing with engagement and performance.
A psychologically healthy workplace is one that successfully fosters employee health and wellbeing, thereby enhancing organisational performance and productivity.
Several recent studies have found clear connections between psychological distress and reduced productivity at work. Any reduction in mental well-being is likely to increase costs due to absenteeism, presenteeism (disengagement and underperformance at work) and workers compensation claims. These factors cost Australian businesses $10.9 billion each year.
Employers and organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the effect of stress on individual employees and the organisation at large. Negative workplace experiences such as excessive pressure, poor leadership and lack of recognition can lead to stress, anxiety and other health problems, with substantial costs to employers, employees and the community.
The level of control employees feel over their work situation, and whether or not employees feel valued in the workplace, can dramatically affect work performance and productivity, absenteeism, workplace safety and staff turnover.
Work plays a critical role in the development, expression and maintenance of psychological health, making organisations ideally placed to improve and foster employees’ health and wellbeing for the benefit of both the individual and organisation.
Psychologists play an important role in the assessment of workplace wellbeing and the education of individuals, organisations and the community about how work impacts on psychological wellbeing, and the sorts of strategies that can be used to maintain emotional wellbeing.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Providing a mentally healthy workplace is a worthy investment. We work with employers and employees to find solutions to workplace stress and enhance psychological wellbeing.
Organisational psychology literature has linked a number of workplace conditions and environments with positive psychological health and wellbeing. There is a general consensus in relation to the features of a workplace that should exist within an organisation in order to foster positive health and wellbeing amongst employees and enhance organisational performance. These key elements include: supportive leadership; employee engagement; role clarity; learning, development and growth opportunities; appraisal and recognition; and work-life balance.
We recommend specific organisational changes that address these key areas to reduce systemic negative affect and enhance positive affect and wellbeing throughout the organisation.
On an individual level, we provide coaching, psychological assessment and behavioural interviewing to understand individuals' concerns and their cognitive, emotional and behavioural patterns. We apply evidence-based psychological interventions, such as cognitive behavioural coaching, goal-setting, mindfulness, motivational techniques and positive psychology to enable change and enhance psychological wellbeing. We incorporate resilience training to ensure sustained positive change.
benefits of a psychologically healthy workplace include:
Opportunity to thrive and flourish
Improved productivity
Greater job satisfaction and morale
Reduced stress
Lower incidences of staff absenteeism and 'presenteeism'
Reduced workplace accidents and injuries.