Creating Healthy Work Environments to Reduce Stress and Mental Health Problems in the Workplace

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Creating Healthy Work Environments
to Reduce Stress and Mental
Health Problems in the Workplace
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GOALS

• Consequences of Workplace Stress
• Causes of Workplace Stress
• Creating a Healthy Workplace
• Next Steps

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The purpose of the Health and Safety Act is
the promotion and maintenance of the highest
degree of physical, mental, and social
well-being of workers. According to section
2(2)
4
The Survey Says

• 91 say increased workload
• 72 say changes in duties
• 68 say increased absences
• 64 say tension is prevalent
• 61 say loss of productivity
  - costs 5 of payroll

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WHAT IS STRESS ?

• Stress is the bodys response to a stressor(s)
  (physical and/or mental demands).
• What is workplace stress?
• Harmful physical, emotional, cognitive and
  behavioural responses that occur when the
  requirements of the job do not match the
  capabilities, resources or needs of the worker.

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CONSEQUENCES

• Stress affects
• YOU
• YOUR WORKPLACE
• YOUR FAMILY COMMUNITY
• HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
• ECONOMY

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WHAT SERIOUS ILLNESSES ARE STRESS RELATED ?

• Hypertension
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Diabetes
• Ulcers and Colitis
• Serious mental illness
• Cardiovascular disease
• Greater incidence of infectious disease

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PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS

• Aching muscles
• Chronic fatigue
• Rapid heart rate
• Shortness of breath
• Restless sleep
• Headaches
• Etc.

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EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self esteem
• Guilt
• Anger
• Frustration
• etc

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COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS

• Decrease in concentration
• Increase in forgetfulness
• Decreased ability to make decisions
• Etc.

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BEHAVIOURAL SYMPTOMS

• Increase in irritability and anger
• Increase use of alcohol,drugs, smoking
• Aggressive behaviour or withdrawal
• Isolation
• Crying
• Etc.

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Impact on Families and Communities

• Behaviors we note in ourselves impact on family
  and marital relationships
• Friends want to spend less time with us so social
  activities are reduced
• We are too tired, too sick, too sore to volunteer
  and we are less desirable as volunteers

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Impact on Workplaces

• reduced work performance
• higher employee turnover
• poor morale
• increased work conflict

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Some Stats

• 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness
  such as depression or anxiety in their lifetime
• The majority of these experiences will occur
  between the ages of 18 and 65, in their prime
  working years
• 2 out 3 will not seek help!!

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Risk Factors

• Genetics
• Trauma/Physical Health
• Personal Stress
• Workplace Stress

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Workplace Stress is

• A Risk Factor for Serious Mental Health Problems

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Its true that..

• Anyone will break down after being exposed to
  sufficient distress
• Stress is cumulative
• We all have different thresholds

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Workplace Stress Hazards

• No input into decision making
• Poorly defined duties
• Excessive workload
• No flexibility (W/L balance)
• Lack of respect and conflict
• Lack of recognition for good work
• Non challenging work
• Lack of knowledge and training

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Healthy Workplace Practices

• Employee participation and decision making
• Defining employees duties and responsibilities
• Work-life balance
• Respectful workplace initiatives

• Workload management
• Continuous learning
• Conflict resolution practices
• Employee recognition

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CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS

• In what area is your workplace doing well?
• What are some of the initiatives you have in
  place?

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WORK LIFE BALANCE

• What is it?
• Why JWHS Committees
• What will it do for us?
• Is it possible in our organization?
• How do we do it?
• www.workplacestressinitiative.ca

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WORK LIFE BALANCE is

• achieved when an individuals right to a
  fulfilled life inside and outside paid work is
  accepted and respected as the norm, to the mutual
  benefit of the individual, business, and society.
• Taken from The Work Foundation

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Valuing the employee for their contribution to
the workplace, not for their work pattern
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DO WE NEED TO SUPPORT WORK LIFE BALANCE?

• Workforce shortage
• Retirements
• Recruitment
• Retention
• 24 hour access (e-tools)

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Work-life Balance Initiatives

• Flextime
• Variable work week
• Telework
• Part time/Job sharing
• Use of sick time for family related issues
• Paid leave for family related issues

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Employee Participation and Decision Making

• Committees
• Staff rep on Boards
• Teams
• Posting Exec. Comm. Minutes and requesting
  feedback
• Surveys

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Reward Recognition

• RR Committee
• Thank- you Card Program
• Annual Awards
• Customer Service, Wellness, Quality Leadership,
  Performance, Community
• Pins, letter of commendation, picture in
  newsletter
• Annual Awards dinner

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Conflict Resolution

• Alternate Dispute Resolution Program
• ADR Advisor and Support Network
• Training for all
• Interest Based conflict resolution

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The reason a dog has so many friends is that he
wags his tail instead of his tongue.
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Respectful Workplace

• Respectful Workplace policy
• Employment Equity Coordinator
• Committees
• - Awareness of Native Employees
• - People with Disabilities
• - Visible Minorities
• - Womens Advisory
• Diversity in the Workplace Training
• Ethnic Heritage Days

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Mobbing

• Relentless and subtle intimidation and/or
  humiliation
• Usually directed at productive workers makes
  them seem incompetent
• Risk to mental and physical health leads to
  feelings of powerlessness and anger

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TAKING ACTION

• Are there any strategies you think could be
  adapted to your workplace?
• Who needs to be involved?
• What are the next steps

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WHAT CAN YOUR EMPLOYER DO?

• Increase employee autonomy and control
• Create a respectful environment
• Make healthy use of technology
• Provide reasonable job demands
• Ensure fair distribution of work
• Provide ongoing training for workers and managers

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What can your employer docont

• Provide leaves (child/elder care)
• Recognize and reward achievement
• Conduct and respond to worker surveys
• Provide healthy flexible work schedules
• Minimize unpredictable hours
• Avoid role ambiguity

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ?

• Collect information
• Identify key issues
• Document complaints and provide solutions
• Join or talk to your WSH Committee
• Develop a plan

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What can you docont

• Relaxation techniques
• Regular exercise
• Healthy eating habits
• Limit intake of caffeine and alcohol
• Discuss your concerns
• Recognize limits (say no)
• Enjoy your social relationships

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It could happen to you

• Lets say, you have just been diagnosed with
  depression and anxiety.
• It will take up to 8 weeks for your treatment to
  be effective.
• In the meantime your
• anxiety is triggered by criticism
• sleep is interrupted
• short-term memory is a problem
• concentration is compromised

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What would you need to do your current job?

• Hours of work
• Tasks
• Physical environment
• Communication

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There is no cure for birth and death, so enjoy
the interval

• George Santayana

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RESOURCES

• Mental Health Works www.mentalhealthworks.ca
  Debbie Keele 953-2353
  (in MB)
• - managers
  - workers
  - HR and OH
  - employee
  advocates/unions - HS
  Committees (new)
• MFL OHC (www.mflohc.mb.ca)
• www.workplacestressinitiative.ca