Workplace health and safety (WHS) isn’t just about hard hats and hazard signs anymore. Mental health and WHS is taking center stage—and for good reason. Psychological safety matters—the ability to speak up, take risks, and seek support without fear of judgment is crucial for a thriving workplace.
When employees feel psychologically safe, engagement, collaboration, and productivity skyrocket. When they don’t? Stress, burnout, and disengagement creep in, leading to a whole host of WHS risks.
Let’s explore why psychological safety should be a top priority in WHS and, more importantly, how organisations can make it happen.
1. What is psychological safety—and why does it matter?
Ever had a moment at work where you wanted to share an idea but held back? Maybe you worried about sounding ‘stupid’ or facing backlash? That’s a lack of psychological safety in action.
Psychological safety means employees feel comfortable to:
✅ Speak up without fear of embarrassment.
✅ Share concerns or mistakes without facing punishment.
✅ Take risks and contribute ideas freely.
Why does this matter?
- It reduces workplace stress and anxiety.
- It fosters trust and open communication.
- It encourages innovation and collaboration.
When people feel safe, they engage more deeply in their work. They’re more willing to contribute, problem-solve, and support each other. And that’s a game-changer for organisational success.
Businesses can provide structured eLearning solutions to help organisations implement best practices in psychological safety and workplace wellbeing.
2. The link between mental health and WHS
Let’s be real—poor mental health isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a workplace safety issue. Stress, anxiety, and burnout don’t just impact individual wellbeing; they can lead to increased workplace accidents, higher absenteeism and turnover, and reduced productivity and engagement.
Key WHS Considerations for Mental Health:
- Psychological hazards (e.g., unrealistic workloads, toxic leadership) are WHS risks, just like physical hazards.
- Legal duty: Employers are legally obligated to manage psychosocial risks under WHS regulations.
- Proactive strategies improve overall safety and employee satisfaction.
By leveraging the right training, organisations can provide employees with ongoing education about psychological safety and compliance.
3. Strategies for creating a psychologically safe workplace
Psychological safety doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional effort. Here’s how leaders can make it a reality:
1 Encourage open communication
- Set up safe channels for employees to voice concerns (anonymous surveys, regular check-ins).
- Train leaders to listen without judgment and take employee feedback seriously.
2️ Prioritise mental health initiatives
- Offer access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and mental health resources.
- Provide mental health awareness training for employees and managers.
3️ Promote work-life balance
- Encourage real breaks—no emails at 9 pm!
- Support flexible work arrangements where possible.
4️ Address workplace bullying and discrimination
- Establish clear policies to prevent and manage bullying.
- Foster a culture of inclusion and respect.
4. Leadership’s role in psychological safety
Let’s face it—leaders set the tone. If managers dismiss concerns, react poorly to mistakes, or discourage feedback, psychological safety goes out the window.
Great leaders:
✅ Lead with empathy and transparency.
✅ Actively listen and follow up on employee concerns.
✅ Recognise and appreciate contributions to boost morale.
By investing in leadership training, organisations can equip managers with the skills to build psychologically safe teams.
5. Measuring and improving psychological safety
You can’t fix what you don’t measure. How do you know if your workplace is psychologically safe?
Ways to measure psychological safety:
📊 Conduct anonymous employee surveys on workplace wellbeing.
📉 Track absenteeism, turnover rates, and conflict reports.
🗣️ Hold regular feedback sessions and act on concerns.
Prioritising mental health as part of WHS isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a thriving, engaged workforce.
Psychological safety leads to:
✔️ Better teamwork.
✔️ More innovation.
✔️ Lower stress and burnout.
