The Direction – October 2013
Note from our Director
Hello and Welcome to our October edition of ‘The Direction’. It was Mental Health Week 7th – 13th October. This is such a complex issue and one that we believe is increasing – read our main article below. I also have some news I wanted to share, I am also now on the QLD AHRI (Australian Human Resources Institute) Board in the role of Secretary and looking forward to making positive contributions to the Human Resources Profession!
If you would like to discuss any of the issues covered in the newsletter or anything else please contact us on 07 3890 2066 or admin@hrbd.com.au.
Safe work week
This month we were proud sponsors of Big Mal’s Breakfast during Safe Work Week. An issue we obviously feel strongly about.
HR Events
We are planning…. we will let you know!
Mental Health in the Workplace
With 45% of Australian adults experiencing some degree of mental illness during their lifetime, managing mental health issues has become a very real part of today’s workplace. The prevalence of mental illness, coupled with the fact that fewer than half of managers have a clear understanding of mental health issues and how to manage them, means that this is an area of HR that poses a significant business risk. As such, organisations need to proactively strive to create an environment that supports mental health or risk declines in productivity, reputational damage and an increase in WorkCover claims.
However managing mental health in the workplace can be an especially complex issue. Mental illness still attracts stigma and employees often fear revealing their situation in case they face discrimination or judgement. From a legal point of view, managing employees with mental health issues is comparable to managing those with a physical illness or disability. Accordingly, the same legal and ethical principles apply and, unless incapable of performing their job safely and meeting job requirements, employees suffering from mental illness cannot be discriminated against.
The first step in creating a workplace that supports mental health is the creation of a culture characterised by openness and trust so that an open dialogue around such issues is encouraged and maintained. Aside from good governance, therefore, a holistic solution that addresses the varied complexities of mental health in the workplace is necessary. Such a solution should provide the mechanisms to support employees with a mental illness, while at the same creating a culture that raises awareness and tolerance of mental issues, promotes mental wellbeing and values diversity. An effective strategy to address mental health in the workplace should include:
- the provision of practical resources such as work wellness programs and access to counselling support;
- educational programs to raise awareness, sensitise and engage employees around mental health issues; and most importantly
- initiatives to equip leaders with the capability to manage staff facing challenges.