Why 13 Factors?
13 FACTORS for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace
The 13 psychosocial factors cited in the Canadian National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (PH&S) was the published in 2013 and again in 2018 are a starting point to launch conversations about work practices and conditions that have a significant impact on the mental health of employeesa workplace conversation about the work conditions and practices that are proven iss key. The Standard was the result of extensive and rigourous research by academic, occupational and organizational psychology leaders including the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). And in 2013 Google undertook a massive 3-year research study, called Project Aristotle (a follow up on the Oxygen Project) on the defining characteristics and most important factors of highest performing teams. The #1 factor was psychological safety. The Canadian Standard is also the foundation of the new global standard, ISO 45003, set to be released later in 2021.
Psychological safety is the fundamental enabling condition that allows us to be ourselves at work, perform, experience joy, connect and work together in organizations.
Your organization will have common factors influencing culture and work conditions and factors that are unique to your context.
We named our business 13 FACTORS after the psychosocial risk factors known to impact human thriving at work. We identified and aligned the knowledge, skills and workplace behaviours that are correlated and linked to best-in-class business outcomes, workplace culture attributes and our human needs for thriving and flourishing in our jobs.
Not only are markets evolving rapidly, but the work environment, the body of knowledge and the needs of managers and employees is changing. And there is no going back.
Whether you have your own data sources, industry or sector, or country and regional workplace data, the contributors to positive and/or potential risk of harms to mental health, wellbeing, ontribute to employeechallenges, with low levels of employee engagement, motivation, trust, innovation and productivity. Multiple sources tracked and reported on the equally troubling and linked levels of workplace stress, anxiety, depression, burnout and escalating mental health concerns.
What we know for sure.
The evolution of workplaces and the impact of changing market conditions can be complex. But the evidence-based changes to meet those new needs and become more adaptable to the change doesn't have to be. So if you:
1. Know internal challenges are increasing because you are growing, expanding and changing.
2. Are interested in culture leadership that will substantially improve psychological safety, engagement, productivity, and innovation.
3. Want to integrate psychosocial risk management into your OHS management system.
4. Are deepening focus on work-related stressors, mental health and wellbeing.
5. Thinking about implementing the Canadian National PH&S Standard or the global standard, ISO 45003.
5. Developing or updating your Learning and Development plan.
Sometimes a new perspective added to your thinking can help.
What are the Factors?
The 13 risk factors of PH&S in the workplace:
- Organizational Culture
- Psychological and Social Support
- Clear Leadership & Expectations
- Civility & Respect
- Psychological Demands
- Growth & Development
- Recognition & Reward
- Involvement & Influence
- Workload Management
- Engagement
- Balance
- Psychological Protection
- Protection of Physical Safety
+ 14. Any other chronic stressor that may be identified by workers.
The 14th factor is particularly important to unions as they assess psychological health and safety in the workplace. (Canadian Labour Congress)
What is the Canadian National Standard and ISO 45003?
The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (2013) is a first of its kind in the world. The Standard was developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) with partners and stakeholders focused on workplace and employee mental health and wellbeing. The Canadian Standard helped inform other leading standards, the International Standard, ISO 45003 and new regulations and legislation recently released in Australia. All aligned with the latest science, research and evidence.
These Standards are supported by legislation and regulations in many jurisdictions and present a new way to look at the workplace, safety, ways of working, culture and the impact the workplace has on our lives.
They include guidelines, tools and resources to improve workplace culture and climate, create a more positive and collaborative workplace and prevent psychological harm at work. They each align with Occupational Health and Safety practices and processes for physical safety culture that we have been using for decades. The considerations will be very familiar to you and your team. It expands our concept of health at work to include a priority for our mental health, our psychological health and safety. We will work with you to determine the areas in your organization that present opportunities for improvement, prevention strategies to reduce risk and improve your overall safety culture.
The Link Between Workplace Psych Health & Safety, Mental Health and Sustainability
Is employee health and safety critical to your business? Is quality critical to your business? Is continuous improvement, engagement and learning? Collaboration, innovation and productivity?
Consider a new strategic priority this year that integrates psych health and safety strategy, a risk management system, culture growth and new psych health and safety-based leader and team development to achieve a lasting and sustainable approach to improving mental health, wellbeing and positive change.