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Whether you are an employer, manager, or leader, you play a part in creating a safe, healthy, and productive workplace. Yet, have you considered how psychosocial risk in the workplace can affect employees' health and well-being? Psychosocial risk refers to the non-physical factors affecting an individual's psychological and social well-being. These factors include excessive workload, poor communication, and workplace bullying. You can follow or join the HealthHub, where we will explore a range of topics, from what psychosocial risk is to how it can affect employee health and the benefits when it is managed correctly using evidence-based interventions.
So, what is Psychosocial Risk in the Workplace?
Psychosocial risk in the workplace refers to the adverse effects of non-physical factors on an employee's mental and social well-being. These factors include job demands, job control, social support, and workplace culture. When these factors are negative or excessive, they can lead to stress, burnout, and other mental health issues.
For example, an employee who is given an excessive workload with no control over their schedule may feel overwhelmed and stressed. Similarly, an employee subjected to workplace bullying or harassment may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
How Does Psychosocial Risk Impact Employee Health?
Psychosocial risk in the workplace can have a significant impact on employee health. When employees experience excessive or harmful psychosocial risk factors, they may experience various physical and mental health issues. These can include:
- Stress and burnout
- Anxiety and depression
- Cardiovascular disease
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Sleep problems
- Substance abuse
In addition to these health issues, employees who experience elevated levels of psychosocial risk may also be more likely to experience absenteeism, presenteeism, and turnover. This can be costly for employers in terms of lost productivity, increased healthcare costs, and recruitment and training expenses.
Managing Psychosocial Risk in the Workplace
Despite the negative impact of psychosocial risk on employee health and well-being, employers can manage and mitigate these risks by conducting a psychosocial risk assessment. This involves finding the psychosocial risk factors that exist in the workplace and assessing their impact on employee health and well-being. This can help employers to find areas for improvement and to prioritise interventions.
So, what are the benefits?
Employers can reap various benefits by managing psychosocial risk in the workplace. These can include:
- Improved employee health and well-being
- Increased productivity and job satisfaction
- Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism
- Reduced healthcare costs
- Improved recruitment and retention
In addition to these benefits, employers who manage psychosocial risk in the workplace are also more likely to be seen as socially responsible and ethical. This can improve their reputation and attract and keep talented employees.
Conclusion
Psychosocial risk in the workplace can significantly affect employee health and well-being. However, by managing these risks, employers can create a safe, healthy, and productive workplace for their employees by conducting a psychosocial risk assessment; employers can reap many benefits, including improved employee health and well-being, increased productivity and job satisfaction, and reduced healthcare costs. So, if you want to create a safe, healthy, and productive workplace, it is time to start managing psychosocial risk. Join us every two weeks, where we will expand on the many topics associated with improving your organisational health.