Ten Years of Progress Up North with Mary Ann Baynton
Mar 31, 2023
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Mary Ann Baynton, Director of Strategy and Collaboration for Canada Life’s Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, discusses the progress of the Canadian Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. They talk about the importance of psychological health and safety, the development and implementation of the standard, and the impact of our actions on others. They emphasize the need for continuous dialogue and provide resources for creating a psychologically safe workplace.
The Canadian Standard of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace has influenced 29 countries to adopt similar approaches, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing psychological well-being alongside organizational success.
Psychological health and safety in the workplace requires ongoing commitment and a Plan-Do-Check-Act approach to continually assess, improve, and address psychosocial factors impacting employee well-being and the work environment.
Deep dives
The Birth of the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
Ten years ago, Canada created the National Standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace, making it the first country to establish such a standard. This milestone has since influenced 29 other countries to adopt similar approaches. The standard, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, aims to prioritize psychological health and safety in the workplace by promoting positive interpersonal treatment among colleagues and ensuring organizational success. It emphasizes that employers can support their employees' mental well-being while also achieving excellence and productivity in the workplace. This achievement in Canada serves as an inspiration and proof of concept for other countries, including the United States, to prioritize psychological health and safety for the benefit of both employees and organizations.
Defining Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
Psychological health and safety in the workplace refers to how individuals are treated at work and the impact it has on their mental well-being. It goes beyond physical safety and involves considering the psychological impact of interactions and behaviors among colleagues. The Canadian Standard emphasizes the importance of conscious awareness of the impact of our actions on others, rather than solely focusing on our intentions. The standard equates addressing psychological health and safety with addressing physical safety, as both are within the employer's responsibility to ensure a safe work environment free from harm. By safeguarding employees from psychosocial hazards, employers can create an environment where individuals can thrive, contributing to organizational success.
The Continuous Journey of Psychological Health and Safety
Psychological health and safety in the workplace is not a one-time effort, but rather a continuous improvement process. It involves an ongoing commitment to assess and improve the workplace environment. The Canadian Standard employs the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach, which includes assessing the current state of psychological health and safety, developing implementation plans, engaging meaningful employee participation, measuring the impact of initiatives, and promoting continual improvement. This approach ensures that organizations continually adapt and address psychosocial factors that impact employee well-being and the overall work environment. Psychological health and safety require consistent attention and an integrated approach, involving employees at all levels, to foster a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.
Bringing Psychological Health and Safety to the United States
To introduce psychological health and safety in the United States, it is crucial to emphasize its direct benefits to employers. Instead of solely focusing on the well-being or rights of employees, framing the conversation around how it aligns with business success can be more effective in gaining support. Highlighting the positive impact on sales, productivity, and performance can engage leaders' interest. By identifying the specific challenges faced by organizations and offering solutions within the framework of psychological health and safety, it becomes possible to shift the conversation and appeal to leaders' desire for success. Building advocates among successful business leaders who champion this cause will help create a standard that guides others on the path to psychological health and safety.
In this episode, Dr. Daniels will talk with Mary Ann Bayton of Mary Ann Bayton & Associates. She has been called the “godmother of psychological health and safety.” Mary Ann also proudly serves as the Director of Strategy and Collaboration for Canada Life’s Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, which provides free, practical ideas, tools, and resources to help with the prevention, intervention, and management of workplace mental health issues.
In 2013, the Mental Health Commission of Canada adopted the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Mary Ann served as co-chair of the Technical Committee that developed the standard. She was also a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Workforce Advisory Committee. The Standard is a set of voluntary guidelines, tools, and resources intended to guide organizations in promoting mental health and preventing psychological harm at work. It is the first of its kind in the world.Mary Ann and Dr. Daniels will discuss the progress of the Canadian Standard and the fact that the standard is not only a tool to establish and maintain psychological health and safety but an imperative for business.
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