Public Launch of the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
January 16th, 2013
New Year brings New Standard for Psychologically Healthy Workplaces!
The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), has championed the development of the new National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, in partnership with the Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ), the Canadian Standards Association Group (CSA) and a volunteer committee (including Excellence Canada) of experts and stakeholders.
The release of the new Standard is good news, as it establishes a compelling ‘case for action’ from both a public health and an economic perspective. Adults spend more waking hours in the workplace than anywhere else [1] – this includes people living with mental health problems and illnesses. Healthy work life plays an essential part in maintaining positive mental health [2] and the workplace plays a key role in public health initiatives aimed at promoting mental health and preventing mental illness. Mental health or harm experienced in workplaces spills over into the well-being of families, communities and society at large [3].
Evidence shows that one Canadian in five will experience a mental health problem or illness in any given year, many of whom are young people. In 2011, 40% of Canadians experiencing mental illness were between the ages of 20-39 [4]. Mental health problems and illnesses are a leading cause of disability in Canada - estimated to account for nearly 30% of all LTD disability claims, and increasing at a rate of .5-1% per year since 2008. [5] [6]. These costs are born by the employers.
The longer someone is away from work due to illness, the less chance there is of a successful return to the workplace (6 months off – 50% return to work, 9 months off – 10% return to work). Unaddressed, the impact of mental health problems on lost productivity due to absenteeism, presenteeism and turnover will cost Canadian businesses $198B over the next 30 years [7]
The new voluntary Standard is about mental illness prevention and mental health promotion in the workplace. It is intended to help prevent harm to all people in the workplace, whether or not they have experienced a personal mental illness.
The release of the new Standard is important as it provides a systematic and sustainable approach for psychological health and safety, similar in spirit to how physical health and safety is managed. Mental health at work is becoming a business imperative.
The release of the new Standard is important as it provides a systematic and sustainable approach for psychological health and safety, similar in spirit to how physical health and safety is managed. Mental health at work is becoming a business imperative.
The business case is clear:
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A work environment that promotes good mental health is socially responsible, cost effective, and helps attract and keep good employees.
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It is also an important risk management strategy as employers are increasingly held legally responsible for maintaining psychological health and safety in the workplace and increasingly subject to civil suits for employee harassment, bullying or chronic overwork
The new Standard provides a starting point, as not all aspects of employee mental health issues can be covered by the Standard alone. It provides a structure for a comprehensive approach, but requires strong change leadership to implement and integrate effectively within an organization. Excellence Canada’s Progressive Excellence Program® for Mental Health at Work provides a systematic proven approach for implementation, integration and certification towards excellence in mental health in the workplace, including the achievement of the prestigious Canada Awards for Excellence. (www.excellence.ca)
For more information please see:
Mental Health Commission of Canada (www.mentalhealthcommission.ca)
Canadian Standards Association (www.csa.ca/z1003)
Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ) (www.bnq.qc.ca/en/actualite.html)
Mental Health Commission of Canada (www.mentalhealthcommission.ca)
Canadian Standards Association (www.csa.ca/z1003)
Bureau de Normalisation du Québec (BNQ) (www.bnq.qc.ca/en/actualite.html)
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