Creating a healthy workplace micro-climate

I used to believe, says Dr. Martin Shain, that the impetus for a psychologically safe and healthy
working environment must come from the top. A mental health consultant and director and founder of
the Neighbour@Work Centre, Shain now thinks differently. Sometimes we cant wait for senior
leadership to get it. Sometimes we have to assume leadership within our own work unit or team.
Shain and The Neighbour@Work Centre help organizations protect the mental wellbeing of their
employees by promoting a culture of fairness, civility and respect.
Even in relatively unhealthy environments, explains Shain, you can create pockets of health. Its like a
property thats gone wild. You can still create a healthy micro-environment where things will grow. You
have to be careful because these pockets will be at risk of being invaded by the surrounding
environment. However, nurturing growth is possible.
Mary Ann Baynton, a workplace mental health consultant (Mary Ann Baynton & Associates Consulting)
and a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canadas Workforce Advisory Committee, often
coaches people on finding ways to make meaningful changes to their environment without becoming
overwhelmed at the prospect. It can be too much for people to think that theyre going to be able to
change the culture of an entire organization, says Baynton. Instead, I encourage the concept that
every person is a leader in his or her own circle of influence. Whether you are a leader because you have
the authority to be a leader or because people want to follow you, you have the ability to change the
way people interact, and you can set a tone that changes the way people support each other.
The implication: if you recognize an opportunity, says Baynton, dont wait for the CEO to issue a
directive, or for HR to launch a program.
Both Shain and Baynton point to the benefits that can accrue:

greater productivity
reduced absenteeism
greater success in hiring and retaining employees
lower disability costs
better customer service

How to create a healthy micro-climate

Managers and team members can enhance their psychological environment through their own actions
and their influence on others. For example:

encourage report-tos and team members to participate in decision-making

demonstrate fairness in management style, application of policies, and dealings with others
minimize perks based on hierarchy
train and evaluate report-tos on communication and people skills
provide or encourage flexible work arrangements
provide or encourage work-life balance policies and practices
show appreciation for report-to and team member efforts
ensure you and your team members are respectful to everyone
measure employee satisfaction regularly, and act on findings
provide report-tos and team members with the information and resources they need to do their
jobs well
address or raise work overload issues
Resources
A Leadership Framework for Advancing Workplace Mental Health, Mental Health Commission of
Canada (www.mhccleadership.ca). Includes tools, information videos of Canadian business leaders
talking about mental health
Guarding Minds @ Work: A Workplace Guide to Psychological Safety and Health
(www.guardingmindsatwork.ca). An evidence-based strategy, containing resources for assessing and
addressing 12 psychosocial risk factors. Includes an organizational audit, multiple employee surveys,
action tools, and evaluation templates.
Industry Canada: business case for corporate social responsibility (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/csrrse.nsf/eng/h_rs00100.html)
depression calculator (www.depressioncalculator.com). Hosted by Pharmaceutical Research and
Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
alcohol and substance abuse calculators, courtesy of the George Washington University Medical
Center; US-oriented, but an interesting exercise [www.alcoholcostcalculator.org/]
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario: a how-to guide for workplace mental health
promotion (www.ontario.cmha.ca)

Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace: strategies, tools and support for

research and initiatives aimed at improving workplace mental health

(www.gwlcentreformentalhealth.com)