Cheryl Swanson cherylanneswanson@gmail.com Disability Management Consultant Safety Services Manitoba Disability Management: Aligning with Workplace Psychological Health and Safety

Today… Disability management life cycle Psychologically safe system of work Take Action

Prevention: Reducing risks or threats to health Primary Prevent disease or injury before it occurs Preventing exposure to hazards, education Secondary Reduce the impact of a disease or injury Modified work so injured or ill workers can return safely Tertiary Soften the impact of an ongoing illness or injury Vocational rehab programs to retrain workers for new jobs

Communication Collaboration Comprehensive Disability Management Program Communication Collaboration Stay at Work Away from work Return to Work Primary and Secondary prevention Secondary and Tertiary prevention Secondary and Tertiary prevention

Measuring Results

Jamie‘s Story Physical injury Psychological reaction

Roles and Expectations Stay at Work Away from work Return to Work

Explaining mental health Optimal Mental Health Poor Mental Health Serious Mental Illness No Symptoms of Mental Does the workplace have an impact on mental health?

People are more creative and are able to achieve better job performance when they are in a healthy psychosocial work environment. Lowe, G., 2014. The Wellness Dividend: How Employers Can Improve Employee Health and Productivity. The Graham Lowe Group. http://creatinghealthyorganizations.ca/Documents/WellnessDividend Report-April2014.pdf

Psychologically Safe System of Work Be aware Be just Be careful Be vigilant

Don’t pay attention Treat people unfairly Be careless Be rude

Psychological hazards Lack of control Lack of support Unclear or changing expectations Physical safety risk

The Impact of Psychological Hazards

Lack of support, Unclear expectations, Uncertainty Psychological Hazards At each stage Lack of support, Unclear expectations, Uncertainty Stay at Work Away from work Return to Work

Consistent Practice Psychological and Social Support Clear Leadership & Expectations Civility & Respect

Communication- ABC’s Acknowledge Be Available Collaborative Solutions Be aware Be just Be careful Be vigilant

Into Practice Review Questionnaire Interview Employee Interview Policies and procedures, metrics Tools and material Review Leadership perspective Questionnaire More detailed information and intention Interview Employee perspective Employee Interview

Into Practice Prevention actions at each DM stage Communication strategy Clear roles and expectations Measurement and evaluation Consistent practice Alignment with psychologically safe system of work