Do you know what is really going on in your organisation? Are your people loving their jobs and working at their best? 

Data from Safe Work Australia shows us that serious claims for mental health conditions accounts for 12% of workers comp claims, and the median time lost is over 35 weeks. You might not have had to deal with a mental health claim as yet, but the statistics are showing a rapid increase in reporting and claims.

Mental Health Claims are above the surface 

But just like an iceberg, the claims are what we can see above the surface. Do you know what is happening beneath the surface at your workplace? 

Psychosocial hazards can arise from the design or management of work or the work environment, not just from workplace interactions or behaviours. Bullying and harassment are the obvious ones, but there are plenty of other triggers too. Sustained high (or low) job demands can leave people working ineffectively and efficiently. Having little control or no say over how work is done can cause detachment. Poorly maintained tools or systems create frustration. 

Multiple hazards may create higher risk 

Each of these remind me of times and places I have worked over the years! Nowhere is perfect. But it is the accumulation of multiple triggers that can be the difference between a hazard being low or a high risk. 

When people are disgruntled for one reason or another, they can exacerbate the situation by bringing others down with them. Gossiping, complaining, backstabbing may relieve some tension, but they are unproductive behaviours that can stem from systemic problems. 

To achieve smooth sailing for your organisation, you need to not only look out for icebergs floating in the water. You want to know what lies under the surface.