Welcome to the October 2018 eNewsUpcoming WayAhead Workplaces Member MeetingsThe next meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Sydney will be on Monday 19th November from 9:30am to 12:30pm. The meeting will be hosted by Citigroup Centre, 2 Park St, Sydney NSW 2000. Guest Speakers TBC shortly. The next meeting for WayAhead Workplaces in Brisbane will be on Monday 26th November from 10:00am to 1:00pm. The meeting will be hosted by Financial Advice Matters at NAB, Level 17, 259 Queen St, Brisbane QLD 4000. Guest Speakers TBC shortly. You must RSVP if you want to attend these meetings. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Lynley at lynley.hurst@wayahead.org.au or on (02) 9339 6008. Members - remember - as part of your membership with us, you can log in and view the speaker presentations from all our previous meetings. New on https://workplaces.wayahead.org.au/You told us that you wanted to know more about who was in the WayAhead Workplaces network, so we now dedicate a page on our website to Member Spotlights. So far, we have featured Q&As with 11 members across NSW and QLD, with a new profile published every fortnight! It may be the tail-end of the year, but there's still plenty of conferences and events to take part in. Check out what's on near you - and what's worth travelling for - in the members-only calendars on our website. We will soon be working on our 2019 edition. To access the member resources, just log in from the home page using your member username and password from the email we sent you when you signed up with us. If you can't find that, contact Sharon at workplaces@wayahead.org.au NB: Unfortunately the launch of our Workplace Stress Less Tips was delayed due to the staff involved being on various types of leave throughout the months of September and October. The tips will now be launched in November in time for the lead up to Christmas. The tips are created to be used all year round and aren't a mental health month initiative. Sector Spotlight - Awards, Events, Webinars, Workshops and Conferences2018 SafeWork NSW AwardsNow in its 15th year, the SafeWork NSW Awards are the premier safety awards in New South Wales. Congratulations to all finalists and especially to our members, The University of Sydney, who won the Excellence in Recovery at Work for Business Award for their 'Recovery at Work' program. Read more here.
Mental Health Matters Awards - Mental Health Promotion Workplace AwardCongratulations to RAW Mind Coach, an online learning program designed to build psychological resilience, who won this year's Mental Health Promotion Workplace Award. RAW Mind Coach was developed by psychologist Sadhbh Joyce, following research conducted as part of the UNSW Workplace Mental Health Research Team and the Black Dog Institute (our member), and rolled out to more than 5000 NSW Ambulance workers (another of our members).
10 People You Should Know in the World of Wellbeing: Jay Spence from UpriseWe are delighted to see that our member, Jay Spence who presented at our Sydney meeting last month, was featured as one of ten 'People you should know in the world of wellbeing', not just in Australia, but around the world! Congratulations, Jay.
WayAhead, Facebook Live VideoEarlier this month, media personality and mental health advocate Osher Günsberg discussed the state of mental health in NSW with NSW Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies MP, NSW Mental Health Commissioner Catherine Lourey, NSW Deputy Mental Health Commissioner Allan Sparkes, and WayAhead CEO Elizabeth Priestley. Join over 11,000 others and view the recording here.
SafeWork NSW Consultation Conference, 31st October, SydneyIf you are a Health and Safety Representative (HSR), HSR training provider, small business, an employer or a worker, you are invited to attend SafeWork NSW's free Consultation @ Work Conference on 31 October at Sydney Cricket Ground. Learn about what good workplace consultation looks like, talk to others about their experiences, and gain a better insight into what your obligations are.
Age & Work Symposium, 27th November, Brisbane - Discount for WayAhead Workplaces MembersThe Age & Work Symposium will consider the implications, profile progressive employers, and explore the opportunities of longevity for the workplace. If you employ or work with older staff, are challenged by some of the issues you see, are in a position of influence or are just curious, this is a conversation you need to be a part of. Contact Sharon at workplaces@wayahead.org.au for the discount code.
WayAhead Annual General Meeting, 27th November, SydneyOur parent organisation WayAhead will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 27 November. The guest speaker for the AGM is Megan Mills, Program Director for Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT), speaking on No Labels: A bullying prevention program. We hope you can join us to reflect on our year.
International Day of People With Disability, 3 DecemberInternational Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. This year’s theme, as proclaimed by the United Nations, is ‘Empowering people with disability and ensuring inclusiveness and equality’. Here are five impactful ways for your organisation to celebrate (IDPWD) this year. Resource SpotlightNSW Mentally Healthy Workplaces Strategy 2018-2022Thousands of workers around NSW will have better support at work while overcoming mental health challenges thanks to the NSW Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces strategy. The strategy is a $55 million-dollar investment by the NSW Government and involved collaboration between key government agencies including icare, SafeWork NSW and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), as well key stakeholders across the mental health and workplace health sectors, and will see the delivery of a range of evidence-informed interventions.
Five Year Strategic Plan to Improve Work Health and Safety in QueenslandQueensland's Work Health and Safety Board has launched the Five year strategic plan for work health and safety in Queensland. The plan identifies four focus areas or strategic levers for the next five years: embracing innovation and technology, designing healthy and safe work, fostering a culture of health and safety, and regulating effectively.
Black Dog Institute Expert InsightsCheck out this series of SoundCloud podcasts by Black Dog Institute - for Health Professionals. Recent topics cover Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults, Working with Values in Clinical Practice, and Asylum Seeker and Refugee Mental Health.
Time Management & Productivity Tools & ResourcesDo you struggle with time management or wish to work more productively? This site is a one-stop shop for hundreds of tools and resources on time management and productivity.
Falls Management Video Series - SafeWork SASlips, trips and falls are the second leading cause of injuries in Australia and the most serious is falling from heights. This four-part educational video series will help business operators manage the risk when working at heights and assist them to comply with their WH&S responsibilities.
What Impact Is the Vending Machine Having In Your Workplace?Did you know that most of the food and drinks available in work vending machines are contributing to a range of illnesses and poor health? In this article, WorkCover Queensland suggest resources for good work design that encourages healthy change.
Return to Work Case Studies - WorkCover QueenslandTo see how WorkCover is making a real difference to the lives of injured Queensland workers and their employers, check out Ben's story and Jed's story.
The HR Tech Guide to the ROI of Sit-Stand DesksGet insights into the benefits of sit-stand desk solutions, including three delivery models that can deliver return on investment and potentially lower healthcare and workers' compensation costs.
Take Back Your Life - ABC LifeWe're all busy, but is it really that we don't have enough time, or does our perception of time shift to reflect our reality? For help taking control of your time this month, challenge yourself to these weekly activities.
These Work-Life Balance Strategies Help Even In The Most Demanding JobsWork-life balance sounds great, but it's getting tougher to achieve. This article suggests tips for being smart about our time, including the 56-56-56 split.
The Role Leaders Can Play In Helping New Parents Return To Work - Flexible Work Case StudyHow can leaders and organisations better support new parents as they return to work? Bridget Thakrar, General Manager of People and Safety at South East Water, shares some ideas from her team.
Set These Up With Your Team To Get a High Performance CultureHigh performers want to work with other high performers, so if you can establish and enforce ground rules, you are more likely to attract the right people. Research SpotlightTo Be a Good Leader, Start By Being a Good FollowerNew research has found that those who want to lead are well served by first endeavouring to follow. This contrasts with the usual advice for aspiring leaders; that if you want to be a successful leader, ensure that you are seen as a leader and not a follower. Read on here.
Why Six Hours of Sleep Is As Bad As None At AllGetting six hours of sleep a night simply isn’t enough for you to be your most productive. In fact, it’s just as bad as not sleeping at all! While cumulative sleep deprivation isn’t a new concept, it is rare to find research results that are so clear about the effects. For more information on sleep, check out 5 Reasons You’re Not Getting Enough Sleep and 4 Sleep Myths That You Need To Stop Believing.
Return To Work: A Comparison of Psychological and Physical Injury ClaimsHow well do you know the similarities and differences between psychological and physical claims? In this report, Safe Work Australia consider two main areas: RTW by potential influencing factors, and employees' responses and experiences.
Return to Work Survey 2016 Australia and New ZealandFurther to the above resource, this report compares the RTW experience and outcomes of injured workers of premium payers and self-insurers against a number of variables, including RTW, workplace rehabilitation and employer support.
Comparison of Workers' Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand 2017How do Australian and New Zealand workers' compensation schemes compare? This Safe Work Australia report compares key features of each scheme including coverage, benefits, RTW provisions, dispute resolution, and cross-border arrangements.
What Does It Mean To Have a Healthy Workplace Culture?How a "healthy culture" is defined and what it looks like depends on the employer, but new research identifies 24 key elements that consistently show up in workplaces with healthy cultures.
The Four-Day Work Week Is Good For BusinessAfter spending two months testing a 20% shorter week, a New Zealand company found its employees happier, more focused, and producing the same amount of work. Now they’re making the change permanent. For more on the Four-Day Work Week, check out this website. Or, for a contrasting experience, read this piece.
A New Study Should Be the Final Nail For Open-Plan OfficesOpen-plan offices have taken off because of a desire to increase interaction and collaboration among workers. But an innovative new study has found that employees in open-plan offices spend 73% less time in face-to-face interactions.
Why You Can't Bring Yourself to Plan Things When StressedNew research explains why after a tough work week, the idea of making plans (even fun ones) can be so unappealing. Read on here - and then rest up that brain!
Disability in the Workplace is More Common Than You May ThinkAccording to the ABS, more than 1 million working-age people with a disability were in paid employment in 2012 - that is, 8.8 per cent of the total Australian workforce. Yet sadly, disability discrimination is still rife in Australian workplaces.
2018 Edelman Trust Barometer - Australia ResultsAccording to the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in Australia continues to decline across media, business, government and NGOs. For more on the state of trust in 2018, check out KPMG and the Australian Institute of Company Directors survey findings of 600 directors, and the Australian Ethics Index 2018 findings.
Suicide Prevention: The Role of Community CampaignsAn interesting piece on the effectiveness of community campaigns and how important context and an integrated approach are to their success.
Welcome to Retirement. Who Am I Now?Transitioning from work to retirement can be bumpy, as we wrestle with questions of identity and rebuilding relationships. Harvard Business School Professor, Teresa Amabile, presents preliminary findings on the journey to after-work life.
Mental Illnesses Cost the Global Economy $1 Trillion Every YearIn a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 16 per cent of U.S. workers said mental health problems kept them from achieving their goals at work. Yet just 50 per cent of workers said their employer provides the resources necessary to meet their mental health needs.
Reinvigorated CRE Focuses on Life Saving Tech - Black Dog InstituteBlack Dog Institute has expanded its Centre of Research Excellence in Suicide Prevention with CRESP Phase 2, an initiative aiming to reduce suicide amongst Australians by taking evidence-based prevention strategies to scale.
Amid an Epidemic of Mortgage Stress, a Perfect Financial Storm Is On The Way, Experts Warn - ABC NewsFinancial wellbeing is an area we like to shine a light on as it is often forgotten about when people talk about looking after their wellbeing. Most people can relate to having experienced some form of financial stress and the impact that can have on your mental and physical wellbeing. This is an issue we want organisations to think more about, and what role they can play in helping to make things easier for their staff so they can be more engaged and productive at work.
Why People Really Quit Their Jobs - Harvard Business ReviewWe've all heard the saying "People don't quit a job, they quit a boss." But people do quit jobs, even at Facebook, so it’s up to managers to design jobs that are too good to leave. Career pathing and investment-in-the-employee opportunities may be a solution.
Parliamentary Inquiry Into Sleep Health Awareness in AustraliaThe House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has commenced an Inquiry into Sleep Health Awareness in Australia. For more information, including the Terms of Reference, see here.
Workers Too Scared To Take Mental Health LeaveMental health leave is becoming increasingly common, yet 55% of jobseekers surveyed by SEEK say they have avoided taking leave despite needing it, worried there may be repercussions. Articles of InterestCreating a Respectful and Inclusive Culture Is About Leadership, Not PolicyLeaders are accountable for culture, creativity and performance. For your team to function at their highest potential, you must address culture.
The National Communications Charter: A Unified Approach To Mental Health and Suicide PreventionDeveloped by Everymind, The National Communications Charter gives practical guidance around language and how to support a friend, family member, colleague or stranger that may be experiencing a mental health issue. Have you signed the Charter yet?
3 Decision-Making Insights for HR - Australian HR InstituteFrom the courage displayed in a crisis, to the overhaul required when a culture turns sour, this article discusses three things HR should take into account about decision-making. 28 Phrases the Most Likable Employees Use at WorkTo end on a nice note... Do you compliment your workers for doing good work, or acknowledge your co-workers for their efforts? If so, how often? Research suggests that certain phrases will increase morale and employee engagement.
Thank youFinally a big thank you to our members and eNews subscribers, we appreciate your support and feedback. Each year we endeavour to improve and stay relevant for you. All we ask in return is for you to tell other people about us so we can continue to help support workplaces. Your word of mouth feedback is worth its weight in gold. |