Posted by HR Daily, November 2015
2.1 million Australian women and 1.2 million men have experienced emotional abuse by a partner according to recent data1.
Traumatic events such as Terrorist attacks disrupt lives physically and psychologically, creating intense emotional distress for individuals, families and whole communities. Organisations play a vital and valuable role in assisting and supporting their employees and students in the immediate aftermath and in the days, weeks and months following this tragic and unbelievable event./p>
Click here to see Clinical Services Director, Marcela Slepica discussing White Ribbon Day on the Sky News Switzer show.
2.1 million Australian women and 1.2 million men have experienced emotional abuse by a partner according to recent data1. This startling statistic that one in every four women has experienced domestic abuse is truly shocking and when we consider this figure is likely under-reported due to the perceptions of stigma, shame, economic dependence and safety, it is even more concerning.
New research has found that being happy boils down to just three factors – good personal relationships, financial security and a sense of life purpose. When the ‘golden triangle of happiness’ was present, it almost always resulted in positive levels of wellbeing. The Deakin University Wellbeing Index 2015 is based on more than 60,000 individual responses and rates satisfaction with life across areas such as standard of living, health, purpose in life, personal relationships, safety, community connection and future security.
World Mental Health Day (Saturday, October 10th) aims to raise public awareness of mental health issues around the world and this years’ campaign encourages people to take ownership of their own mental health and wellbeing.
People struggle with mental health issues 365 days per year. People we love, people we work with, people we know. The national focus on mental health issues achieved through R U OK? Day each year helps remind us to check in with family, friends and colleagues, to show support and ask if they are okay when we notice something is not right. To a sufferer of mental health issues, a single day is not enough. To be even more effective, R U OK? needs to be as common and as natural as saying ‘how was your day?’ or ‘is there anything I can do to help?’, questions we feel comfortable using in daily conversation.
Sky News, August 2015
AccessEAP CEO Sally Kirkright talks about preparing for an ageing workforce with Peter Switzer.
Hospital & Aged Care, August 2015
AccessEAP Clinical Sercvices Director, Marcela Slepica shares her insights on the unique challenges faced by the caring industry.
According to recent Australian research, there will be 3.7 million more workers aged between 50 years and pension age over the next decade. Australia is now ranked 15th on a global scale when it comes to engaging older staff. As a range of economic, social and policy changes encourage Australian workers to delay their retirement, older people will continue to comprise an increasing share of the employed workforce which will have a huge impact on Australian businesses. Adapting your business to the ageing workforce requires commitment to age based initiatives rather than costly modifications.
Look around you. You may not realise it, but you are surrounded. You may have a few at home. There are countless numbers of them at work. They are on your train, your plane, your bus and even……… in your very own car. Somehow, without us even realising it. They. Are. Everywhere.
Stress Down Day (Friday 24th July) aims to encourage Australians to have fun with family and friends in the hope of reducing stress levels. It’s an easy and fun initiative that highlights the impact that stress can have on our everyday lives.
The Health Profile of Australian Employees study has been analysing mental and physical health trends of Australian workers each year from 2004 to 2014. The study examined up to 7363 workers over a five to ten year period and the most recent findings were released earlier this month.
Financial issues remain one of the leading causes of stress amongst Australians. According to a recent survey, issues related to personal finance was the top source of stress for both men (44 per cent) and women (53 per cent). With unemployment at 6.1 per cent, a sharp drop in mining investment and many industries under pressure, it’s no surprise that financial worries are a growing cause of stress.
National Safety, May 2015
Acclaimed leaders in workplace safety practices will come together to inspire and share new ideas for lifting safety standards.The event is co-located with National Manufacturing Week, Austech and the SMART Supply Chain & Logistics Conference to harness shared energies from the manufacturing, transport, building and construction, government and broader industry sectors.
The Age, April 2015
Ben* had come in to work late a few times and was not interacting with his work mates like he used to. His colleague, Glenn*, noticed this change in behaviour. When Ben didn't show up to work one day and wasn't answering his phone, Glenn called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) seeking advice.
Australian business, on average, loses $6.5 billion per annum because mental health issues in the workplace are not being addressed early enough1. This translates to an average cost to an employer of $9,000 per annum for every worker not seeking treatment for a mental health issue. The recent air disaster in the French Alps has also highlighted how serious and devastating the impact of mental health can have on all of us.
AMSJ, March 2015
Mental illness costs Australian workplaces around $11 billion in lost productivity every year, according to the organisers of a major safety event being held in Brisbane. What employers can do to address the challenges of mental health in their workforce will be one of the key topics of the Safety in Action expo and seminar being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from the 22nd to the 23rd of April.
While it is something that most managers won’t have to deal with in their career, at times situations can arise in the workplace which can be traumatic to employees or have the potential to be traumatic for managers. We call this type of situation a Critical Incident and examples include armed robbery, assault, threats of harm, accidental injury or death. These incidents tend to be rare in most jobs however if they do occur, they can cause psychological distress, or trauma. There are some things you can do as a manager to support staff early after one of these events to reduce the chances of prolonged trauma.
National Contractor, Feb 2015
Kicking off in Brisbane from April 22-23, the Safety in Action series will this year invite industry to reflect on the issue of mental health at work by discussing the theme of "realising proactive safety methods to encourage workplace health and wellbeing".
Australian Mining Monthly, National, Feb 2015
AccessEAP works with a number of mining organisations and has compiled data to reveal the top five causes of stress for Australian miners. Those five triggers are job insecurity; conflict with colleagues and managers; bullying and harassment; job isolation; and long working hours.
