By Cala Ahmed

Positive and supportive work environments don’t just happen overnight, they take work. Employers play a fundamental role in creating a healthy working environment that supports all their employees. And while a balance must be struck between workplace efficiency and happy and healthy employees, businesses that achieve this balance will also benefit from increased productivity a positive company culture.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 700,000 people die because of suicide each year, including approximately 2,500 Australians. The impacts of suicide are far-reaching, causing flow-on effects to the individual’s family, friends, and colleagues. Today, we’re spending more and more time at work and because of this, our workplaces can often be a key factor in our mental health. Employers have Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations to ensure the health and safety of their employees while they’re working. The presence of active and effective measures to support employees and other workers are crucial in any working environment.

In this article, I discuss how important an employer’s role is in creating a positive and supportive workplace and I share some helpful tools that can build a healthy working environment.

Tools to prevent suicide

Creating a healthy working environment should be on the top of your to-do list and will contribute to   your suicide prevention goal. Below are some of the ways your business can actively support your people and enhance their well-being:

  • implementing an open-door policy whereby staff feel comfortable seeking personal and professional support in times of difficulty;
  • creating a mentoring program where employees can turn to someone other than their manager for guidance;
  • offering flexible working arrangements such as reduced hours or working from home to cater for the employee’s circumstances;
  • scheduling periodic check-ins with staff to encourage communication of any concerns, and gain a better understanding of the employee’s circumstances and pressures;
  • accompanying critical feedback with genuine, positive encouragement;
  • acknowledging staff efforts and achievements through social events or reward/recognition programs to show appreciation and encourage social interactions;
  • offering an employee assistance program (EAP) which can be accessed on a free and confidential basis at any time;
  • encouraging open and transparent communication among the workforce about issues such as mental health and suicide; and
  • promptly investigating complaints of bullying, harassment, discrimination, or victimisation, and taking appropriate disciplinary action where such complaints are substantiated.

Encouraging communication

One aspect that’s often considered as a contributing factor towards suicide, particularly in our current climate of COVID-19 and the shift toward working remotely, is a feeling of isolation and loneliness. This can be experienced even when individuals are physically surrounded by other colleagues daily. While some workplace roles rely on individuals being autonomous and unsupervised, it’s nonetheless important to promote regular communication among teams and the wider business, to make each employee feel supported and engaged. Where face-to-face contact isn’t feasible, such communication and collaboration could take place in a digital sense to ensure no employee feels disconnected even in these difficult times.

If this article has raised any concerns for you or someone you know please contact these free support services:

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

Mensline – 1300 78 99 78

For further information and support, clients should contact the HR Assured team.

If you’re an HR Assured client and you need some workplace advice , please contact our 24/7 Telephone Advisory Service.

Not an HR Assured customer yet? If you’d like to try our award-winning Telephone Advisory Service for FREE contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.

Cala Ahmed is a Workplace Relations Advisor and assists a variety of clients via the Telephone Advisory Service. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Business/ Law.