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As the demands of the modern workplace continually increase, ensuring the well-being of employees is essential. While physical hazards at work are often addressed swiftly and effectively, psychological hazards tend to be overlooked, leading to issues such as burnout, depression, and anxiety. Workplace wellness begins with recognizing and mitigating these psychosocial hazards. By doing so, we can create safer and more productive environments that prioritize the mental health of our workforce.
If a worker fell in a hole at work and was injured as a result, we would provide support for the employee to make sure they got better. More than likely, we would also repair the hole in the ground so no one else was injured in the future. We wouldn’t just have the injured employee get better and then return to the same dangerous worksite.
So why don’t we do the same thing for psychological hazards at work?
With resources like the ISO 45003 and the WHO’s Workplace Mental Health guidelines, we have access to a list of the most common hazards that have been tied to increases in burnout, depression, and anxiety, among other things. Like the hole in the story above, we can look for and address these hazards to proactively protect the emotional health and well-being of our employees.
Because this concept is so new to many of us in HR, HRSI has partnered with Verdant Consulting to break down these issues for the HR professional. We are launching this in our new “Better Know a Psychosocial Hazard” series, which breaks down hazards from role clarity to communication.
It is important for HR teams to be aware of these hazards as part of their wellness strategy because:
Prevention: Awareness of psychosocial hazards enables HR teams to proactively identify and mitigate risks before they escalate into severe issues like burnout, anxiety, or depression. By addressing these hazards in advance, HR can help prevent potential harm to employees' mental health and contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace environment.
Protection: Recognizing psychosocial hazards allows HR teams to implement safeguards that protect employees from mental and emotional harm, just as they would protect physical health. This might involve establishing supportive policies, upskilling managers, or implementing protocols for workload management to ensure employees feel safe and valued.
Problem-Solving: Understanding psychosocial hazards equips HR with the insight needed to address underlying issues that may contribute to workplace stress or dissatisfaction. Instead of only addressing symptoms when problems arise, HR can diagnose and resolve root causes, leading to more sustainable solutions that improve employee well-being and satisfaction.
Planning: Integrating psychosocial hazard awareness into workforce planning allows HR to design roles, workflows, and support systems that foster mental well-being. Further, HR teams can develop a protocol for reviewing upcoming priorities to identify potential for hazards to become amplified. Planning with these hazards in mind can help create a workplace that prioritizes psychological safety, optimizes work-life balance, and promotes long-term employee engagement and retention.
When we are aware of these hazards, we can not only patch the metaphorical holes that trip up our employees, but we can uncover what may have caused the hole in the first place. This approach creates safer, healthier, and more productive workplaces for the future.
Don't let these hidden hazards remain unchecked in your workplace. To further your understanding and action plan on psychosocial hazards, watch the first video in our “Better Know a Psychosocial Hazard” video series. You'll gain insights and practical strategies to enhance employee well-being and create a thriving workplace.
Dr. Allessandria Polizzi, PhD, SPHR is a former HR executive who is now the CEO of Verdant Consulting, a Start-Up Boston People-First Organization Runner-Up for 2024. Her book, “The Workplace Mental Health Strategy Workbook,” provides guidance on proactive approaches for creating healthy and thriving workplaces. She is also the ISO global liaison for Occupational Health and Safety and has served as an expert on psychological health and safety for professional associations, media, and the National Safety Council.