Psychological Safety Info Hub
Psychological Health & Safety, Psychosocial Safety & Psychological Safety
Throughout this Information hub, we will tap into Psychological Health & Safety, Psychosocial Safety, and Psychological Safety as they are related; however, our key focus will be Psychological Safety.
- We aim to help unravel the mystery of the three terms and why they are essential.
- We will share some resources to help you on your journey
- We will offer ideas and directions for improving your overall safety culture, underpinned by Psychological Safety.
What you will find in this guide
Psychological Safety Info Hub (this page)
- Psychological Safety and Mental Health
- What Psychological Safety Is
- What Psychological Safety Is Not
- Leading Indicators of Psychological Safety
- Psychological Safety and Vulnerability
- The Benefits of Psychological Training
- Psychological Safety Programmes and Workshops
Read on to discover why we are passionate about Psychological Safety for your Culture of Care vision.
If you are curious about our training and consulting offering, visit our Psychological Safety Programmes Workshops page.
Or leapfrog ahead to access all the pages in this guide.
Psychological Health & Safety, Psychosocial Safety and Psychological Safety
Psychological Health and Safety, Psychosocial Safety and Psychological Safety are terms often used interchangeably, but important distinctions exist between them.
All three concepts are related, but it is important to understand their differences and why each matters in creating a safe and supportive work environment.
- Psychological Health and Safety is a broader term and refers to a workplace environment that is safe, secure, and supportive. It covers both physical health and safety, as well as psychological safety.
- Psychosocial Safety is a more general term and refers to how people feel safe and secure in their social environment. It includes the physical environment, such as the physical presence of dangerous objects and the psychological environment, such as bullying or harassment.
- Psychological Safety is primarily associated with the workplace and refers to the idea that people feel comfortable taking risks, raising concerns, and speaking up without fear of negative consequences. Psychological Safety underpins the previous two terms.
A common scenario in Psychological Safety..
A common scenario for Psychological Safety failures among leaders is a change in role and expectations, accompanied by promises of support, training, and coaching. When these promises are unfulfilled, leaders may feel a sense of failure, pressure, and disappointment.
This scenario can lead to conflicts with managers, frustration, and damaged relationships, ultimately resulting in resignation.
It is important to note that this scenario is not uncommon. Many leaders have reported experiencing similar situations in their careers. Most adults spend a significant portion of their time at work and often find it the most stressful part of their day. Therefore, addressing the workplace's physical and mental risks is vital for creating a safe, productive, efficient, and engaging work environment.
Organisations can improve their workforce's well-being, retain top talent, and increase overall productivity by prioritising employees' Psychological Health and Safety.
It is not uncommon for high-performing employees to experience burnout and Mental Health issues and ultimately leave a company due to a lack of Psychological Health and Safety or Psychological safety in the workplace. When leaders fail to create an environment that values their employees' mental and physical well-being, it can lead to many negative consequences.
This scenario depicts where and how Psychological Safety, Psychological Health and Safety and Psychosocial Safety are not in place.
We explore a bit more about Mental Health and Psychological Safety here.
Psychological Health and Safety, Psychosocial Safety & Psychological Safety - What's the Difference?
Psychosocial Safety is a part of Psychological Health and Safety, which Psychological Safety underpins.
Psychological Health and Safety
Psychological Health and Safety refer to the measures taken to promote and maintain the mental well-being of employees in the workplace. It encompasses various aspects, such as providing a safe and supportive work environment, promoting work-life balance, and addressing workplace stress and Mental Health issues. Psychological Health and Safety are becoming increasingly crucial as Mental Health issues continue to rise and employees spend more time in the workplace.
ISO 45000 series is the overarching standard that covers all aspects of Occupational Health and Safety Management and includes Psychological Health and Safety as a critical aspect.
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational health and safety management systems – is the international standard published in March 2018; it provides requirements and guidance on your organisation’s occupational health and safety management systems.
ISO 45003-2021 - Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks is the international workplace standard for Psychological Health and Safety. It provides guidelines and recommendations for organisations to implement a proactive approach to psychological health and safety in the workplace. This standard covers leadership, culture, communication, and work environment.
Implementing ISO 45001 and ISO 45003 helps organisations create a positive workplace culture that supports the mental well-being of employees. It benefits the employees and leads to improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and lower turnover rates. By promoting psychological health and safety, organisations can create a more resilient and supportive work environment, resulting in a more engaged and motivated workforce.
In summary, Psychological Health and Safety refer to the measures taken to maintain the mental well-being of employees in the workplace. It includes creating a safe and supportive work environment, promoting work-life harmony, and addressing workplace stress and mental health issues.
The ISO 45001 and ISO 45003 standards provide guidelines for organisations to implement a proactive approach to psychological health, safety, and occupational risks, resulting in improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, and a more engaged and motivated workforce.
Psychosocial Safety
Psychosocial Safety refers to the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals in the workplace. It includes creating a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and bullying and supporting employees experiencing stress, Mental Health issues, or other personal problems. It also involves promoting a positive culture, open communication, and employee involvement and participation opportunities.
Psychosocial Safety refers to the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals in the workplace, including creating a positive culture and supporting employees experiencing stress or mental health issues. Overall, Psychosocial Safety is about creating a healthy and supportive workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and able to perform at their best.
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Who We Work With
Why work with the Safety Collaborations Team
We are passionate about helping people change the way they think about safety. Embracing fruitful collaboration is how we support your culture of safety, driving your business and people's success.
We offer award-winning virtual and in-person programmes with exceptional coaches that make your workforce safer, which means a strong return on investment, decreased incidents and reduced costs.
The legacy we leave behind is people doing the right thing and having the right conversations around safety, meeting team goals and enhancing team success.
We have over 30 years of experience across industries and geographic locations, dedicated to providing cost-effective solutions for the businesses we work with.
We deliver safety programmes across the globe both virtually and onsite/in person.
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