workplace stress - what shape is your organisation …...jun 2015 working dinner medical profession...
TRANSCRIPT
Workplace Stress - What Shape is your Organisation in? Day Hospitals Australia Conference1 September 2017
Nick Arvanitis, Head of Workplace Research and Resources, beyondblue
Overview
1.Mental health in the workplace
2.Creating a mentally healthy workplace
3.What shape is your organisation in?
4.beyondblue resources
What is workplace stress?
“……. the physical, mental and emotional reactions of workers who perceive that their work demands exceed their abilities and/or their resources (such as time, help/support) to do the work.”
SafeWork NSW
Workplace risk factors for mental health
GENERAL
✗ Long working hours
✗ Low job control
✗Work overload or pressure
✗ Lack of control
✗ Lack of participation in decision making
✗ Unclear work role
✗ Poor communication
✗ Limited resources
✗ Bullying, discrimination and harassment
Workplace risk factors for mental health
SPECIFIC TO DAY HOSPITALS?
✗ High expectations of consumers
✗ Demanding roles
✗ Impact of sentinel events (when they occur)
✗ High levels of responsibility
✗ Strong cultural pressures (e.g. patient first)
✗ Less supports in smaller hospitals
✗Mobile staff (less opportunity to establish close working relationships)
✗ Greater access to means (suicide risk)
GENERAL
✗ Long working hours
✗ Low job control
✗Work overload or pressure
✗ Lack of control
✗ Lack of participation in decision making
✗ Unclear work role
✗ Poor communication
✗ Limited resources
✗ Bullying, discrimination and harassment
Workplace protective factors for mental health
✓ Positive & supportive leadership
✓ Flexible working arrangements
✓ Employee participation in decision making
✓ Support from colleagues and managers
✓ Effective mental health training for managers and staff
✓ Recognising and rewarding work
✓Managing change effectively
✓ Organisational fairness
Mental health as a continuum
Health professionals & mental health
Generally, health professionals are healthier, more resilient and live longer than the general population but…
• Nurses experience higher rates of stress-related health conditions
• 3.4% of doctors experience very high psychological distress (2.6% in wider community)
• Doctors & nurses have higher suicide rates compared with the general population
• 59% of doctors believe that being a patient for a mental health condition causes embarrassment for a doctor
The ‘disconnect’ between leaders &
employees
BELIEFS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
IN THE WORKPLACE
In my workplace there is/are… Employees Leaders
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Information about workplaces’ legal responsibilities 45% 72%
Mental health return to work policy 44% 74%
Policies to support staff with mental health condition 44% 70%
Leadership commitment to mental health 37% 71%
Employee input to planning around mental health programs 25% 57%
Overview
1.Mental health in the workplace
2.Creating a mentally healthy workplace
3.What shape is your organisation in?
4.beyondblue resources
Good for people & the community
Improved wellbeing & quality of life of all staff & their families
Healthy staff, healthy consumers
Good for hospitals
Reduced absenteeism, ‘presenteeism,, & stress claims
Increased employee engagement
Be a great place to work - attract and retain talent
Meeting legal obligations
The benefits
OUTLINE
1. Mental health & nurses
2. Creating a mentally healthy workplace
3. What’s my role?
4. Heads Up initiative – website/generic, health services, small business/health se
13
Key steps in creating a mentally healthy workplace
An integrated approach
14
An integrated approach based on Tony LaMontagne’s integrated approach model
Creating a mentally healthy workplace
A ‘mentally healthy workplace’ where all staff:
• address mental health risk & protective factors
• create environments where people who are unwell are encouraged to seek support &have equal opportunities
• support others who are experiencing poor mental health
• promote positive mental health and positive working environments.
Importance of senior leadership
Overview
1.Mental health in the workplace
2.Creating a mentally healthy workplace
3.What shape is your organisation in?
4.beyondblue resources
Mentally healthy workplaces in Australia
Step 1: Are your leaders committed?
Ensure that all employees have an up-to-date job description which includes role purpose, reporting relationships and key duties expected of them
Do they speak openly about mental health?
Are they supportive & approachable?
Do they actively support & participate in mental health events/activities?
Do they understand their legal responsibilities (e.g. WHS/OHS, anti-discrimination, privacy)?
Have they committed human & financial resources?
Step 2: Do you understand the issues?
Ensure that all employees have an up-to-date job description which includes role purpose, reporting relationships and key duties expected of them
Have you sought feedback from your staff?
Do you know what the biggest stressors are for your staff?
Have you identified what you already have in place & where there might be gaps?
Have you reviewed any workplace data?
Have you identified your priorities?
Do you have an achievable action plan or strategy?
Has the plan/strategy been developed in collaboration with staff?
Are you working towards actions that cover off on the three key areas - protection, support and promotion?
Do you have someone responsible for overseeing the plan or strategy?
Are actions integrated into existing workplace activities?
Step 3: Do you have a strategy or
action plan?
Have you created a baseline to measure against?
Have you sought feedback from staff & other key groups (e.g. family members)?
Have you determined what success looks like and how you’ll measure and sustain it?
Have you reviewed the impact of your plan?
Step 4: Are you monitoring &
reviewing?
Overview
1.Mental health in the workplace
2.Creating a mentally healthy workplace
3.What shape is your organisation in?
4.beyondblue resources
24
Oct 2013
National Mental Health
Survey of Doctors and
Medical Students
Jun 2014
AMA and beyondblue round table
Jun 2015
Working dinner
medical profession
2015-16
Direct engagement
with Victorian
health services
Aug 2017
Developing a workplace mental health strategy: A how-to guide for health services
beyondblue’s Health Services Program
beyondblue’s Health Services Guide
Aim
» To develop a practical, step-by-step guide on how to develop and implement a sustainable mental health and wellbeing strategy, specifically for Australian health services
Target audience
» Primary – OHS, Wellbeing, HR, Risk Managers
Secondary audience
» Senior Leadership – Board, executive team, CMO’s
25
Heads Up website (www.headsup.org.au)
Healthy Workplaces
Your Mental Health
Supporting Others
‘What would you do?’ online resource
Training & Resources
Resources
• beyondblue Support Service – Get immediate support by calling 1300 22 46 36 or visiting www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport
• Heads Up website (www.headsup.org.au) – Tools & resources for individuals and organisations focusing on mental health in the workplace
• beyondblue website (www.beyondblue.org) – Learn more about anxiety, depression and suicide
Questions &discussion