April / May

In Issue Five of Working Well Matters we take a special look at workplace bullying – what it is, what you can do about it and where to go for more information and support.

We tell you a bit about this year’s international Mental Health Awareness Week theme, The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health.

There are also updates on the latest news, research and resources about mental health in the workplace.

Remember – we welcome your contributions and feedback, so please keep in touch and, if you think others would benefit from receiving this bi-monthly e-newsletter, then please forward this email to them so they can subscribe.

 

Mauri ora,
Shaughan Woodcock,
Acting Working Well Manager

 

 

Contents

In the News

Help staff kick the habit
(2011, April) NZ Herald
Full article
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.

Technology affecting work-life balance: survey
(2011, April) NZ Herald
Full article
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.

Economic climate no barrier to workplace health
(2011, April) Southern Cross Health Care Group
Full article
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.

Care for staff mental health
(2011, April) NZ Herald
Full article
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.

Beat the vicious cycle of stress
(2011, April) Sunday herald
Full Article
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

Research / Resources

Ethnic Diversity at Work
A new guidebook called “Riding the Wave” from the Office of Ethnic Affairs offers tips on tapping into local migrant talent – a resource that opens doors to export markets. “Riding the Wave” aims to give employers practical advice on how to make the most of NZ’s increasing workplace diversity.

The guide points out that having staff from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds on its own isn’t enough, and that diversity has to be backed by company leaders and managed well to become an organisational strength.

For hard copies contact the Office of Ethnic Affairs at ethnic.affairs "at" dia.govt.nz

How does freedom of religion and belief affect health and wellbeing?
VicHealth: Dr Natascha Klocker, Brigid Trenerry and Kim Webster
Report
This report presents the findings of an evidence review prepared by Dr Natascha Klocker, Brigid Trenerry and Kim Webster for VicHealth, which explores the relationship between freedom of religion and belief, and health and well being.

Gender differences in long-term sickness absence
Occupational and Environmental Medicine (March, 2011)
Report
The attribution of work environment in explaining gender differences in long-term sickness absence: results from the prospective DREAM study.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2011

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) runs from Monday, 10 October until Sunday, 16 October.

World Mental Health Day is Monday, 10 October and this year’s international theme, which is set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health. The theme, which seeks to influence decision makers internationally both at central and local government level, has four main elements – Unity, Visibility, Rights and Recovery.

In New Zealand, the Mental Health Foundation takes the international theme and gives it a ‘kiwi twist’ that supports the international focus and also resonates with the general public. This year MHAW falls during the semi final games for the Rugby World Cup so consideration is being given to a kiwi theme that fits in with this significant national event. Keep an eye out for the theme which will be announced on the Foundation website in early June.

Toolkit Feature: Workplace Bullying

In this issue we look at workplace bullying, the impact it has on individuals and organisations and preventative steps to ensure you have a mentally healthy workplace.
Full Article

Working Well Toolkit

A range of mental health topics is available to the Working Well online community. Organisations wanting to take advantage of the online material through the members’ only section can do so here.

Or you can purchase your copy of the Working Well Toolkit at the special price of $19.95 incl GST (excl p&p)

Join Working Well

Working Well members gain access to a secure login area with a number of features and benefits as well as 15% discount on workplace training packages, conferences and public workshops!

Join Working Well today.

If you are not already a member of Working Well, but interested in finding out more, please contact Shaughan Woodcock on: shaughan "at" mentalhealth.org.nz

Top Page last updated: 6 May 2011