health & safety
Using the
Standard
WORKING TOGETHER FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
By Mary Ann Baynton, M.S.W., R.S.W.
It’s been two years since the release of
the National Standard of Canada for
Psychological Health and Safety in the
Workplace (the Standard). The voluntary
standard provides a framework
to help guide employers as they work toward
psychologically safe and healthy work
environments.
The Mental Health Commission of
Canada (MHCC) is now one year into a
three-year national case study research project
to determine how Canadian employers
are using and working toward the Standard.
Results will help in the development of
practices, programs and educational tools
and processes to help more organizations
adopt the Standard and promote psychologically
healthy workplaces.
While participation in the case study is
closed, monthly updates and participant
questions and answers are posted publicly
and are available to everyone on the MHCC
website.
The following are insights, successes and
challenges from some of the HR professionals
taking part in this study.
GETTING STARTED
Cathy Weaver, vice-president of human resources
for Great-West Life, London Life
and Canada Life, says it was a natural fit for
the companies to support the development
of the Standard and to become involved
with the case study.
Turbo Vector / Shutterstock
HRPATODAY.CA ❚ FEBRUARY 2015 ❚ 35