R U OK? Director and renowned author, Graeme Cowan, is partnering with WorkSafe’s WorkWell Program to deliver a free webinar on workplace mental health for the construction industry this month.
The webinar, Creating mentally healthy workplaces in construction, will support employers and business leaders to take the first steps to create and facilitate a mentally healthy workplace.
The webinar will introduce industry leaders to the ‘primary prevention approach’ and describe the work-related factors that impact mental health and safety in the workplace.
Mr Cowan will also explore the WorkWell Toolkit – a free, voluntary online tool using a step-by-step approach to help employers promote mental health and prevent mental injury in the workplace.
With information tailored to specific industries, the WorkWell Toolkit contains practical resources for the construction industry including tip sheets, policy examples, case studies and templates covering work-related factors that impact workplace mental health.
Mr Cowan said a focus on mentally healthy workplaces in the Australian construction industry is important for industry leaders.
“Three out of four Australians say that a mentally healthy workplace is important when looking for a job,” he said.
“There is a $2.50 return on investment for every $1 invested in creating mentally healthy workplaces in the construction industry.”
“Effectively protecting the psychological health of your employees can lead to less costs from work absences, conflict, errors, injuries and grievances.”
With the impact of COVID-19, Mr Cowan said improving mental health and safety is critical to a productive workforce.
“COVID-19 has disrupted work on Australian construction sites – from large products to small ones, the industry has witnessed widespread cancellation, slow down and dry up of projects,” he commented.
“With the main priorities being keeping sites open and safe, a hybrid work model is created with site managers and workers requiring flexibility.”
“Mental health in the workplace needs to be a focus to ensure productivity and support groups to emerge stronger from the crisis,” Mr Cowan concluded.
The ‘Creating mentally healthy workplaces in Construction’ webinar will run via Zoom on Wednesday, 25 November 2020, commencing at 1pm.
To register for the FREE webinar, please visit https://bit.ly/3jsNs0M