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Characteristics of a Mentally Health Workplace
I attended a Workplace Wellbeing workshop run by Health Action Trust. I thought I'd share with you the following characteristics of a mentally healty workplace and organisation. They're a useful blueprint for organisational improvement and development. You could use this in a variety of ways:
- at a senior level in your strategic planning around your people and workplace wellness strategies
- surveying your staff to see how they would rate your organisation against each indicator. Recognise that their picture will be different to that held at a management and senior level. Treat the feedback as a gift in shaping the 'what next' questions.
- use the indicators as a point of discussion in staff meetings - make it clear that this is about your organisation working transparently with it's people to create a great working environment
- take it forward with your organisation's Workplace Wellness or Health & Safety committees
If you would like support in implementing this internally give me a call - I do a lot of work in this space.
Workplace Characteristics
- Staff perceive the work environment as supportive and one in which they are valued
- An individual’s abilities and the requirements of the job are well matched
- There is honest feedback in both directions; from the employer to the employee and vice versa
- Quality supervision and personal, social and professional development have high priority and happen frequently
- Successes at work are praised and support is offered when difficulties arise; this increases community spirit and job satisfaction
- Different kinds of skills and different strengths are respected
- Diversity is seen as beneficial and both managers and staff know how to work with a wide variety of people. People feel safe disclosing their mental health status.
- All workers are treated impartially and rules are fair. Everyone’s rights and obligations are acknowledged.
- Management and staff are encouraged to be creative and proactive and model mentally healthy workplace values.
- Opportunities to work well and to improve performance are provided.
- Conflicts are reconciled; the organisation is not brought to a standstill by minor disputes.
- Obstacles to optimum mental and physical health are identified and removed. Staff turnover and sick/stress leave is low.
- Staff are provided with opportunities to meet and exchange views with colleagues. Staff loyalty is high. Successes are celebrated.
- People’s limitations are acknowledged and it is accepted that staff do not always function at their best.
- Both staff and customer well-being/satisfaction is high.
- The workplace/organisation is safe.
source: Health Action Trust, Nelson 2010 – Workplace Wellbeing workshop. contact [email protected].
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