Quick tips

Why psychological health and safety in the workplace is important

• There are conditions or factors in the workplace that may pose a risk to employees’ psychological well-being.
• A psychologically healthy and safe workplace mitigates these risks by promoting psychological well-being and protecting employees from the potentially negative impact of these factors. It keeps employees safe.
• A psychologically healthy and safe workplace offers employees a more positive experience with their organization and work.

Factors in the workplace that may pose a risk to someone’s psychological health and safety:

• Incivility amongst employees
• Bullying in the workplace
• Violence in the workplace
• Grief associated with the loss of a resident/client
• Other emotional demands of the job
• Not feeling appreciated or respected by others
• Long working hours
• Working conditions

Ways that employees can improve psychological health and safety in the workplace:

• Say hello to or smile at your coworkers when you pass them in the hall.
• Thank or recognize a coworker for their help.
• Add something to the kudos board.
• Recognize what someone else may be going through and have some compassion for them rather than reacting or feeling irritated by them.
• Refrain from gossiping.
• Make clear requests of others (don’t expect them to read your mind).
• Offer to assist a coworker.