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WorkSafe is consulting on proposed good practice guidelines for managing psychosocial risks at work. WorkSafe previously consulted on this in 2023 and following feedback, has refined the latest draft guidelines.

What is a Psychosocial Risk?

“Psychosocial” describes the connection between a person’s thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and the social environment. This simply means how we think and feel, and how we behave is directly influenced by the physical and social settings we live and work in.

Psychosocial hazards include emotionally challenging work, high workloads, bullying, harassment, fatigue or conflict work.

Psychosocial risks are the combination of the likelihood of exposure to work-related psychosocial hazards and the severity of injury or negative experience to health that can be caused by these hazards.

WorkSafe 2024 Draft Practice Guidelines

Psychosocial risks at work can cause harm to workers physical and mental health and must be managed effectively by businesses per the Health and Safety at Work 2015.

When addressing psychosocial risks, PCBUs should aim to have systems that:

• Proactively protect workers from harm.
• Support mental wellbeing.
• Restore workers’ health when ham occurs.

The good practice guidelines cover:

• Businesses’ legal obligation to manage psychosocial risks.
• The importance of mentally healthy work
• How to use a risk management process to manage psychosocial risks.
• How to respond when workers have been exposed to psychosocial risks.
• Further related guidance on specific psychosocial risks such as bullying, sexual harassment fatigue and work-related stress.

WorkSafe is currently taking submissions and welcomes feedback particularly from small business owners.

The deadline for submissions is 5pm on 29 November 2024.  You can read the full draft and make submissions here.

Message for Employers

It is a legal requirement for businesses to manage psychosocial risks in the workplace.

The best way to ensure you support a mentally healthy workplace is to have comprehensive health and safety management systems alongside robust Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination and Wellbeing Policies.

If you require assistance to improve your businesses approach to mental wellbeing, our Mental Health and Wellbeing Toolkit is a great place to start as it provides employers with guidance on dealing with psychosocial hazards in the workplace (i.e., bullying, harassment, work-related stress).

The toolkit is available for a fixed price of $2,500 + GST, and includes:

• Risk Assessment Template and Guidance for Psychosocial Hazards;
• Mental Health and Wellbeing policy, covering stress management, fatigue and steps that can be taken to identify and manage mental health risks in the workplace; and
• Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, setting out definitions for each of these terms, examples of unacceptable behaviours and a process to follow where an incident arises.

Feel like you might need some training in this area? Our team can also offer a one-hour training session, either in person or virtually at a cost of $1,500 plus GST, covering:

• An overview of your mental health and wellbeing obligations, including documentation and reporting;
• How to identify psychosocial risks;
• Awareness of what constitutes bullying and harassment;
• What practical steps should be taken;
• How to manage employees and what support can be offered; and
• Practical tips on how to manage conflict in the workplace.

Disclaimer: We remind you that while this article provides commentary on employment law, health and safety and immigration topics, it should not be used as a substitute for legal or professional advice for specific situations. Please seek legal advice from your lawyer for any questions specific to your workplace.