Psychological health and safety in the workplace
Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation
CSA Z1003-13 establishes a compelling ‘case for action’ from both a public health and an economic perspective. Adults spend more waking hours in the workplace than anywhere elseand this includes people living with mental health problems and illnesses. A healthy work life plays an essential part in maintaining good mental health and the workplace plays a key role in promoting health and preventing illness. Mental health or harm experienced in workplaces spills over into the well-being of families, communities and society at large.
National Standard
The standard is a very important part of creating a healthy workplace because It has been well demonstrated that before any workplace health promotion endeavours can succeed, it is important for employers to ensure they are providing a psychologically safe work environment.
Keep in mind that although there are many factors external to the workplace that can impact our psychological health and safety, this Standard addresses 13psychological health and safetyaspectsthat are within the control, responsibility, or influence of the workplace and that can have an impact within, or on, the workforce.
13 Workplace Factors
The 13 workplace factors that can have an effect on the psychological health and wellbeing of employees listed within the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace are:
- Organizational Culture
Is there trust, honesty and fairness?
- Psychological and Social Support
Are managers and workers supportive of each other and do they respond appropriately?
- Clear Leadership and Expectations
Does everyone know what they need to do?
- Civility and Respect
Are all interactions respectful and considerate?
- Psychological Demands
Is there a good fit between the worker competencies, interpersonally and emotionally, and the job they do?
- Growth and Development
Are workers supported and encouraged in the development of their interpersonal, emotional and job skills?
- Recognition and Reward
Is there appropriate recognition, reward and appreciation for worker efforts?
- Involvement and Influence
Are employees included in decisions?
- Workload Management
Is there enough time to do the job right?
- Engagement
Do workers feel connected and motivated?
- Balance
Is there balance between work, family and personal time demands?
- Psychological Protection
Do workers feel safe to ask questions, seek feedback, report mistakes, propose new ideas,etc.?
Download a copy of the CSA Standard Z1003-13
Download a copy of the CSA Standard Z1003-13; Psychological Health and Safety in the workplace - prevention, promotion and guidance to staged implementation CSA standard Z-1003-13.
Download (PDF)
Have THAT Talk
Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace videos
Learn how YOU and YOUR workplace can work to improve the 13 factors for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Visit have have THATtalk.ca to watch the whiteboard videos and learn more.
Created by Ottawa Public Health, each of the YouTube whiteboard video in this series has a facilitator’s guide to help get the conversation started. There are many uses for the videos in workplaces, including some of these suggestions:
- view a video in a team meeting and talk about it with colleagues
- use it as part of the orientation training for new employees
- use as an awareness tool for managers and supervisors
Workplace Strategies for Mental Health
Learn more about The National Standard and the tools created to assist employers with understanding and implementing it by viewing the tools in the following links.
- Great West Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace
Free online training and tools to help manage workplace issues.
- Guarding Minds @ Work
A set of self-serve tools to assess and address factors known to impact employee psychological health and safety and evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts.
- Mental Health Works - Working Through It
Video stories of reclaiming well-being at work, off work and returning to work.
- On the Agenda
Thisis a series of videos, presentation slides and supporting materials that can assist trainers, team leaders, managers or others to facilitate discussions aimed at developing a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.
- Working Through It
Practical coping strategies, through videos and related resources, that can be used by individuals at work, off work and when returning to work.
- Managing Mental Health Matters
A "first of its kind" program focused on helping managers, supervisors and other leaders learn how to effectively recognize and manage mental health related issues in the workplace.
Other sources of information, support and resources
- Mindful Employer Canada
Support intended to improve workplace mental health and increase the ability of leaders to respond effectively to others through the provision of guidance and innovative and practical resources.
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