November 2022

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Moral Injury: A Silent Ethical Toll Impacting the Wellbeing of HR Professionals

Human Resources (HR) professionals often find themselves in the unique position of being both the guardians of an organisation’s culture and the enforcers of its policies. This dual role can sometimes place them in situations where their ethical and moral beliefs are challenged, leading to a phenomenon known as moral injury. Traditionally studied in military and healthcare settings, moral injury occurs when an individual experiences or witnesses events that are in contrast and are against their deeply held personal beliefs. For HR professionals, these experiences can create significant psychological distress, impacting their wellbeing and overall effectiveness.

Leader having a conversation with employee

The biggest lever an organisation can pull to support employee wellbeing

Mental healthBy Rachel Clements

The biggest lever an organisation can pull to support employee wellbeing In today’s workplaces, addressing the mental health and wellbeing of employees has become crucial. With psychosocial hazards, if left unaddressed, posing significant risks, organisations need effective strategies to create supportive environments. Upskilling leaders to exhibit supportive leadership behaviours and engage in meaningful wellbeing conversations…

The Power of Asking “R U OK?” Any Day

Mental health, Suicide preventionBy Rachel Clements

Every year, on R U OK? Day, we’re reminded of the importance of checking in with those around us, not just on one day but every day. This year’s theme, Ask R U OK? Any Day, highlights a crucial aspect of this initiative: the need to ask the question early, ask it often, and ask it regularly.

Controlled Empathy: Why It Matters When Working with Traumatic Content and Materials

Vicarious TraumaBy Penny Myerscough

In many professions, empathy is essential for fostering interpersonal connections and building meaningful relationships. However, for those frequently exposed to traumatic content or distressing situations, high levels of empathy can be a risk factor for developing vicarious trauma. Over-identification with the pain or emotions within traumatic material can lead to heightened secondary stress symptoms compared to those with lower levels of empathy.

Managing vicarious trauma in the legal profession – A comprehensive guide

Psychosocial risks, Vicarious TraumaBy Penny Myerscough

The legal profession, often associated with high intellectual demands and intense workloads, faces unique challenges when it comes to managing psychosocial risks. Among these, vicarious trauma stands out as a significant concern, especially for those involved in emotionally loaded cases, including, but not limited to, family law, criminal defence, and human rights advocacy. Vicarious trauma,…

Integrating self-care practices in work environments to combat vicarious trauma

Psychosocial risksBy Penny Myerscough

In professions where exposure to traumatic content is inevitable, vicarious trauma is a psychosocial risk that cannot be eliminated. Workplaces then need to establish strong protective factors and controls to minimise the risk to employee wellbeing as much as possible. One of these protective factors is prioritising self-care. By integrating self-care into the organisational culture,…

Enhancing support systems to address vicarious trauma in professional environments

Psychosocial risksBy Penny Myerscough

Enhancing social supports are pivotal in alleviating the effects of vicarious trauma among individuals who are immersed in professions that are characterised by frequent exposure to traumatic content.

How diversity and inclusion can support a mentally healthy workplace

Diversity & Inclusion, Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

Diversity and inclusion have become fundamental pillars of business success and a thriving and mentally healthy workplace. As organisations strive to foster environments that promote and support the positive mental health and wellbeing of employees, it has become increasingly evident that diversity and inclusion play a pivotal role in achieving this.

How to choose the right EAP provider

Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

When it comes to your people’s mental health and wellbeing, choosing the right EAP provider is a must. To ensure you have a well-matched EAP provider, it’s important to ensure that they uniquely fit your workplace needs, providing tailored comprehensive support.

Why a corporate rehabilitation program should be part of your organisation’s mental health strategy

Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

Advancing the wellbeing of employees in 2023 is going to need more than ‘tick the box’ services or a lunchtime yoga session. With new legislation currently rolling out at a state level and new legal precedence being set in the high court this year, organisations are being called on to do more to protect their people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Establishing an upward cycle during challenging times

ChangeBy Debra Brodowski

Our brains like to plan and are wired to see uncertainty and change as a risk/ threat.

Why do I need a Wellbeing Champion Network in my workplace?

Mental healthBy Penny Myerscough

In recent years, the term Wellbeing Champion has gained widespread recognition…

Employee wellbeing underpinned by safety-net support services

Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

In today’s fast-paced and demanding work environment, the focus on employee wellbeing and mental health has gained significant attention.

Using technology to support face-to-face therapy

Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

Technology has provided new opportunities for mental health care, ushering in an advanced era of possibilities and enhanced support.

The cumulative impact of psychosocial hazards

Psychosocial risksBy Penny Myerscough

In recent years, there has been an increased focus on the impact of psychosocial hazards in the workplace on employee mental health. While identifying these hazards is an important first step, it is important to recognise that often these hazards do not exist in isolation, and that the cumulative impact of multiple hazards have a significant impact on employee mental health and wellbeing.

Protective factors that reduce the risk of psychosocial hazards across the board

Psychosocial risksBy Penny Myerscough

The workplace environment can significantly impact the psychological wellbeing of employees. Psychosocial factors are the elements that contribute to this impact. These factors can have both positive and negative effects on employees’ mental health. For instance, positive or protective psychosocial factors such as social support, autonomy, and a sense of purpose at work can enhance…

The role culture plays in protecting against vicarious trauma risk

Psychosocial risksBy Penny Myerscough

Vicarious trauma risks and the ‘cost of caring for others’ are one of the most significant challenges employees face when working with traumatic events and material. Embedding and promoting a culture of psychological safety can be a critical protective factor in ameliorating and preventing vicarious trauma risks in the workplace.

White Ribbon Day 2022

Family and domestic violenceBy Debra Brodowski

November 18th, marks White Ribbon Day 2022, and this year’s theme, ‘Together We Are Stronger’, is a time to come together and start a conversation about practical solutions to end men’s violence against women and children.

Having sensitive mental health conversations in the workplace

Mental healthBy Debra Brodowski

As mental health has grown to be an important topic in the workplace, it’s still often a conversation which can leave leaders fearful about what to say. Having sensitive mental health conversations can be tricky to navigate. They can evoke high emotions which commonly leads to avoidance around engaging in such conversations. However, when an issue is not addressed, a small issue usually becomes a bigger one.

November 2022

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