Psychosocial risk factors are critical elements that can significantly impact the psychological health and safety of our employees. These factors encompass how work is organized and the overall work environment, directly influencing the well-being and effectiveness of our staff. We have aligned our efforts with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, focusing on 15 key psychosocial factors that are particularly relevant to healthcare settings (02-026 Appendix A):
Click on the title of each factor to watch a short video and learn more about it.
- Psychological Support: A work environment where colleagues and supervisors understand and respond to staff members' mental health needs. This includes being supportive of workers’ psychological concerns and addressing traumatic stressors when they arise.
- Organizational Culture: A work culture built on trust, honesty, and fairness.
- Clear Leadership & Expectations: A work environment where there is effective leadership and support that helps workers know what they need to do, how their work contributes to the organization, and whether there are impending changes
- Civility & Respect: A work environment where staff treat each other, patients, visitors, and the public, with respect and consideration.
- Psychological Competencies and Demands: A work environment in which a worker’s interpersonal and emotional skills align with those that the position requires.
- Growth & Development: A work environment that supports the development of interpersonal, emotional, and job-related skills.
- Recognition & Reward: A work environment where appropriate acknowledgement and appreciation of work efforts are acknowledged in a fair and timely manner.
- Involvement & Influence: A work environment in which workers are included in discussions about how their work is done and informed of how decisions will be made.
- Workload Management: a work environment where job tasks can be completed successfully within the available time
- Staff Engagement: A work environment in which workers feel connected to their work and are motivated to do their jobs well.
- Balance: A work environment where there is recognition and support for the need for balance between work, family, and personal life, to minimize work-life conflicts.
- Psychological Protection: a work environment where all reasonable steps are taken to minimize threats to employee mental health and staff feel able to put themselves on the line, ask questions, seek feedback, report mistakes and problems, or propose new ideas without fearing negative consequences.
- Protection of Physical Safety: A work environment where physical safety of staff is ensured through policies, training, and appropriate responses to identified risks.
- Protection from Moral Stress: A work environment that supports staff in aligning their work with personal and professional values to reduce ethical dilemmas and moral distress.
- Support for Psychological Self-Care: A work environment that prioritizes self-care as a fundamental approach for nurturing positive psychological well-being, demonstrating a commitment to valuing and supporting the holistic wellness of staff.
By focusing on these 15 psychosocial factors, KHSC is committed to creating a work environment that supports the psychological and physical health of all employees, ensuring a safer, more supportive, and effective workplace for everyone.
