Betterlife Directions is regularly asked to address a range of People Risk issues in public and private sector organisations. People Risks include:
- Interpersonal tension;
- Team-based and individual conflict;
- Low staff morale and distress;
- Organisational change issues;
- Customer service (internal/external) delivery; and
- Staff wellness issues
These risks need to be managed because Workplace Health & Safety (WH&S) legislation requires a workplace to be free from the risk of psychsocial hazards and to promote wellness. Left unmanaged, People Risk issues will commonly escalate into formal grievances, complaints and psychological workers’ compensation claims.
Our approach
BetterLife Directions uses a non-adversarial approach to resolving People Risk issues. Our methodology uses a WH&S framework to identify psychosocial hazards, assess the risks, decide on and implement risk control measures, and audit & review the implemented controls.
The starting point for addressing interpersonal issues in a solution focused, non-adversarial manner, is an Organisational Health Review.
Organisational Health Review Benefits
- Allows a ‘whole of work unit’ focus to understand morale, climate, team and management issues.
- Provides recommendations to enhance the support and development of all parties (as distinct from a complaint/person specific industrial grievance).
- Provides a mechanism to identify and understand the broader context of interpersonal difficulties and staff/management concerns.
- Limits further damage to relationships from adversarial conflicts.
- Provides a platform to restore functional working relationships – maximising both employee wellness and organisational performance.
How does it happen?
An Organisational Health Review typically comprises both qualitative and quantitative assessments using confidential staff interviews, and a questionnaire to assess morale and climate. Each nominated staff member and manager is invited to participate in a confidential informal interview to discuss their concerns and issues, as well as their rewarding and positive experiences within the agency/department. In the interview each person is asked to reflect on experiences previously, at the present and moving forwards. After the initial interview, each person completes a questionnaire to assess morale and climate.
The information is confidential with the results presented in group data format only. Interim results are provided to staff with further feedback sessions conducted to promote staff engagement and further develop organisational specific strategies and recommendations which are presented in the final comprehensive report.
Follow up support and intervention services
Where People Risk issues have been identified and assessed,
specific targeted interventions need to be implemented to
effectively address problems. Examples of team based intervention services include:
- Wellness and stress management training
- Time management and professional coping skills
- Policy and practice – awareness and education
- Mediation, team building and facilitation
Frontline managers often require additional support and training to better manage identified people risks. As such, we have developed competency-focused training services to equip managers to effectively deal with everyday staff-related issues. Frontline manager and supervisor training programs focus on:
- Self awareness & effective communication skills
- Managing conflict and negative feedback
- Identifying and addressing staff needs
- Performance management / disciplinary interviews
- Managing stress-related or rehabilitation issues
To find out more contact us
BetterLife Directions has conducted organisational health reviews and follow up support interventions for a range of public and private sector organisations. To find out more, or make an enquiry on how we may be able to assist your organisation please click here to fill in our online enquiry form
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