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Written by Paul Findlay, Safework SA
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins' national inquiry into workplace sexual harassment has made numerous recommendations including introducing a “positive duty” on employers to take all reasonably practicable measures required to eliminate sex discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation
However, in its 932-page report Respect@Work, the Australian Human Rights Commission says Australia's model WHS laws already impose a general positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment as part of their broader safety obligations.
The WHS laws also require workers to ensure their actions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others, and this "would capture acts which contribute to a hostile work environment (such as harassment and bullying) and in some circumstances omissions, such as being a passive bystander". Read the full article here.
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Wellbeing SA and the Collaborative Partnership for Workplace Health and Wellbeing held its first virtual Healthy Workplaces SA Community of Practice Event for 2022 on the 6th of April. Over 100 people attended from a range of industries in South Australia and other States and Territories.
Special thanks again to those who participated and our guest speakers who presented topics on:
The virtual event highlighted the latest initiatives from the Collaborative Partnership, the National Workplace Initiative resources, information on evidence-based programs for promoting movement in the workplace, and a case study presentation on a successful mental wellbeing program for employees. It was an enriching event for the business community to share their own experiences and initiatives, as well as take away practical information.
Our next Healthy Workplaces Community of Practice event will be in September 2022. We will be in touch with more information very soon.
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National Workplace Initiative, Dr Erica Crome
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Each year, data is collected to measure and track the current state of workplace mental health across Australia. Information regarding the 40 indicators of a thriving workforce is collected and distributed across the following five domains: connectedness, culture, capability, leadership, and policy.
Thriving workplaces are mentally healthy workplaces where people are safe, can bring their best self and do good work that contributes to a better business. Scores of 80/100 indicate a Thriving workplace. When workplaces are thriving there are many benefits for both individual workers and the workplace as a whole.
Ms Renada Lee from SuperFriend, presented at the SA Workplace Mental Health Collaboration Group meeting with a spotlight on South Australia’s thriving workplace score and key findings from the report. SA ranked #3 out of all states and territories in Australia, with an overall thriving workplace score of 65.3/100 (0.4 point increase). Read more.
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Indicators of a Thriving Workplace Report - Spotlight on SA, Ms Renada Lee
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Useful Information and Resources
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National Workplace Initiative Resources
The National Workplace Initiative has several resources available regarding workplace mental health. Some resources include:
- Mentally Healthy Workplace and COVID-19: Emerging Issues series
- Industry initiates supporting mentally healthy workplaces series.
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Total Worker Health Framework Approach
Last month, Dr L. Casey Chosewood from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) joined Comcare's Justin Napier, General Manager of Regulatory Operations Group, to discuss an integrated approach to work, health, safety and wellbeing.
Dr Chosewood discussed in his webinar entitled, 'Investing in Health and Wellbeing', that Total Worker Health (TWH) is defined as policies, programs, and practices that integrate protection from work-related safety and health hazards with the promotion of injury and illness prevention efforts to advance worker wellbeing. NIOSH WellBQ resource was also shared to provide workplaces with an integrated assessment of worker well-being and measures. Read more.
Watch the 'Investing in Health and Wellbeing' webinar here: www.comcare.gov.au/about/news-events/events/comcare-webinars
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Health in Preconception and Pregnancy and Postpartum (HiPPP) Portal
The HiPPP online portal, developed by The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, provides information for employees and managers regarding a variety of topics such as: planning a pregnancy, being pregnant at work, returning to work after having a baby or undertaking the adoption process.
The portal includes checklists for employees and managers, process flows and a FAQ page. The HiPPP portal also provides information and resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Disability and LGBTIQA+ employees.
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Potential of micro-exercise to prevent long-term sickness absence in the general working population: prospective cohort study with register follow-up
This new study published in Nature assessed the potential benefits of workplace-based micro-exercise (simple and short bouts of exercise) to prevent long-term sickness absence at the population level. Workplaces looking to offer micro-exercise (10 - 15 minutes during the work day) to their workers need to consider allocating sufficient time and resources to ensure the successful implementation.
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Measuring Productivity, Perceived Stress and Work Engagement of a Nationally Delivered Workplace Step Count Challenge
This 2022 study aimed to describe the process of collecting work-related outcomes as part of a real-world workplace intervention (the Step Count Challenge). It also aimed to report step counts and work-related outcomes (productivity, perceived stress, and work engagement) during the Step Count Challenge.
The findings from this study suggest that the Step Count Challenge can have positive changes in employee step count, stress, and productivity. Although, there were no changes in work engagement. It was concluded that workplace step count challenges show promising signs with regard to increasing physical activity, with walking linked to many positive physical and mental health benefits.
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Lunchtime Wellbeing Events in the Adelaide Parklands
In June, Adelaide National Park City will be launched with a month of celebration featuring more than 75 events. As part of the festivities, Wellbeing SA is running free lunchtime events in the Adelaide CBD. Why not try a nature walk or tai-chi? Or perhaps join in a mindfulness walk in the Adelaide parklands.
The National Park City movement aims to create cities where people and nature are better connected. For further information on events, visit www.adelaidenationalparkcity.org/events
To register, please click on the links below:
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Save the Date: Billion Steps Challenge to start from 1 October
Wellbeing SA is excited to bring South Australian workplaces together for the 2022 Billion Steps Challenge starting 1 October. The Billion Steps Challenge is about encouraging each other to find different ways to move throughout the day.
As a wellbeing initiative, we encourage workplaces to plan a step Tournament during the month of “Walktober”, and get your workplaces involved to help us reach a billion steps. During last years’ event, 79 Tournaments were started, with 115 workplaces across SA participating, leading to over 500,000 steps logged towards the one billion goal!
For more information, and to keep up-to-date on this initiative, please contact: Alyson.Crozier@sa.gov.au. More details to come in the next newsletter. |
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Comcare Training
Comcare is offering a range of education and training on topics about workplace health and safety and improving workforce participation throughout the year.
They are delivered through self-paced online learning, instructor-led workshops, and blended approaches depending on the needs of the organisation. List of available training and how to access them can be viewed on Comcare's website.
Upcoming workshop:
15th June 2022 - Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (WRPs)
WRPs will learn about the health benefits of good work, early intervention, and rehabilitation assessments, programs, and work trials under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act). Fees apply. To find out more information and how to enrol on this course, please visit the website or email education@comcare.gov.au.
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Upcoming ReturnToWorkSA workshops
ReturnToWorkSA provides a fantastic range of free workshops which are available to watch online. Workshops coming up include:
- Introduction to mentally healthy workplaces: 15th June 2022 10am to 11:30am
- Beyond the basics: recovery and return to work strategies: 21st June 2022 10am to 12pm
- Supporting return to work – a guide for managers: 24th June 2022 10am to 11:30am
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The Ageing & Work Health (AWH) Program commenced as a pilot in 2017 and in this time several Councils across the State have participated in the development and trialling of key program initiatives, aimed at effectively managing the recruitment, retention, health, and wellbeing of their workforce. In particular, the program has a strong focus on workers in high physical demand job roles as they age, with the aim of empowering and assisting Councils to create a positive age culture within their workplace that promotes and values the experience and skills of older employees whilst managing the impacts on their health and safety. As of early 2022, almost half of LG Member Councils have either successfully completed or are working through program implementation.
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Thank you for your interest in workplace health and wellbeing in South Australia. Please feel free to send us relevant information to be included in future updates or forward on to those that may like to subscribe. If you have any questions about this newsletter, please contact healthyworkers@sa.gov.au.
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