The Rationale for Implementing Psychological Safety

Legally enforceable standards for the protection of mental health at work are being set increasingly high.
These standards require employers to develop comprehensive policies and programs that will ensure a psychologically safe workplace.

Courts and tribunals are awarding increasingly large sums in damages to employees who claim their mental health has been unfairly injured through negligent, reckless or intentional conduct on the part of their employers, managers, supervisors and other employees.

Some jurisdictions in Canada are legislating provisions that call for workplace environments that are more protective of employee mental health.

Prudent employers need to develop policies and programs that meet the new legal standards.
Workplace professionals in the areas of health, safety and wellness as well as senior managers and line supervisors will need to acquire knowledge and skills to address these new demands.

This resource will help you with the key tasks of providing a psychologically safe workplace, assessing risks to mental health at work and addressing them.

The provision and maintenance of a psychologically safe workplace has been recognized as a legal duty, similar to the duty to provide a physically safe workplace. In both realms, the employer must take every reasonable precaution to protect workers’ safety and show that they have done so.
                                                                                                                          GuardingMinds@Work