News 2011
June 2011
Working Well programme features in Safeguard magazine
Working Well features in the latest issue of Safeguard magazine.
An article looking at the benefits of having a mentally healthy work environment. "By creating and managing a mentally healthy workplace, employers not only see an increase in employee productivity, but benefit through a reduction in accident levels, lower absence rates and improved staff morale, making it an essential element in the success of any organisation, no matter how large or small".
Safeguard magazine explores all aspects of workplace health and safety in New Zealand.
Mental health impact on Christchurch
Psychologist Iris Fontanilla looks at the mental impact from the ongoing Christchurch quakes.
Source: (2011 June) TVNZ
Companies should help employees deal with stress
Companies should conduct a "stress audit" on their staff at least once a year to find out how their workers are really coping with the demands of their jobs.
But it takes good communication and willingness to explore problems, says an expert in workplace stress.
Source:(2011 June) Stuff.co.nz
Tapping skill, expertise and knowledge - an interview with MHF staff member Marie Hull-Brown
Marie Hull-Brown started her working life in 1948 as an officer in London's Metropolitan Police. These days, aged 84, she's still going strong in her role at the Mental Health Foundation. According to CEO Judi Clements, "She gives our organisation more credibility, authority and market penetration."
Source: (2011 May) EEO Trust, Julie Middleton
Taking breaks helps worker productivity
Some people think the more hours they put into their work, the more productive they are - this is not necessarily the case.
Source: (2011, May) NZ Herald
May
Push for more workplace drug testing
An employment lawyer is encouraging bosses to push ahead with workplace drug testing, despite a recent case that rebounded against a company.
Source: (2011, May) TVNZ / Newstalk ZB
Are lawyers more susceptible to depression than any other professionals?
Is it the nature of legal work? Is the personalities of those attracted into the industry? Or is it the way that legal workplaces are organised?
What can we do to prevent the illness or, when it strikes, facilitate a full recovery?
Source: ABC Radio National, The Law Report
Failure to tackle depression at work costs firms billions
Workers feel unable to disclose mental health problems to colleagues or bosses because discrimination is rife and openness discouraged, according to research to be published tomorrow. As many as one in four workers have experienced discrimination or witnessed colleagues being discriminated against at work because they suffered from a mental health problem, according to a new survey by the charity Mind.
Source: (2011, May) The Independent
Survey reveals regional health differences
A TNS survey of 1000 people was conducted for the not-for-profit Southern Cross Healthcare Group to coincide with its 50th anniversary of looking after the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. The survey examining New Zealanders' health has found some interesting regional differences, especially in the areas of alcohol consumption and work-life balance.
Source: (2011, May) Southern Cross Health Care Group
April
Help staff kick the habit
Employees with drug or alcohol problems can damage a business in many ways, by causing serious injury to themselves or others, by theft, misuse of company property, lowering of staff morale and damaging of relationships both internally and externally, as well as lowering productivity. Developing a drug and alcohol-free culture has been a priority for the management at Vero Insurance NZ for several years.
Source: (2011, April) NZ Herald
Technology affecting work-life balance: survey
Many Kiwis find it difficult to 'switch off' when they are away from the office because of the technology they have at their disposal.
A workplace survey by recruitment company Robert Half found almost two thirds of those in the finance and accounting field stayed connected remotely to work while they were on holiday.
Source: (2011, April) NZ Herald
Economic climate no barrier to workplace health
A new survey of 402 upper North Island employers found that nearly 50% had a formal health and wellness programme in place. The survey, conducted by not-for-profit health insurer Southern Cross Health Society and the Employers and Manufacturers Association Northern, found that 93% of all businesses surveyed offered some form of health intervention in the workplace.
Source: (2011, April) Southern Cross Health Care Group
Care for staff mental health
It's up to employees to turn up to work in the right mental space. Right? Well, despite the belief by some employers that the psychological well-being of staff isn't their issue, it is.
Source: (2011, April) NZ Herald
Beat the vicious cycle of stress
Changes to your routine can help you relax and defeat unnecessary anxiety. Stress can kill. Yet it’s a normal human reaction to our environment, designed, ironically, to protect us. Stress is your body’s reaction to sensing danger.
Source: (2011, April) Herald on Sunday
February
Pressures mount in workplace mental health
$3 billion to $11 billion could be saved annually by preventing mental injuries in the workplace. Workplace mental health issues recently came into the spotlight when the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) released the report Tracking the Perfect Legal Storm. The document reveals that employers face an emerging legal duty to provide both a psychologically and physically safe workplace.
The report was prepared for the MHCC’s Workforce Advisory Committee by Martin Shain, PhD, from the University of Toronto. The findings caught the attention of various publications across Canada including Canadian Safety Reporter, HR reporter, Safe Supervisor and The Law Times.
According to Shain, pressures experienced in modern workplaces can lead to common mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety and burnout, which can be characterized as mental injury. Courts and tribunals are scrutinizing behavior that may cause mental injury to employees. Legal action is being taken in seven key areas of law including human rights tribunals and occupational health and safety law. These factors are converging to form what Shain calls a perfect legal storm.
January
Government spruces up its online workplace stress and fatigue pages
Information about stress, fatigue and conflict in the workplace is more comprehensive now with a revamp of the Department of Labour’s web pages.
The section has a wealth of information about these all too common workplace occurrences. It also outlines the role of employers in hazard management, the role of employees in their obligations and the role of the Department of Labour (DOL)
Other pages cover the various laws governing safe and healthy workplaces, the related issues of drugs and alcohol and useful links to other sources of support and information.
Of significance to the Mental Health Foundation is the link to the Working Well website - the only New Zealand-based workplace training programme listed on the DOL’s pages.
