Every employer, business owner, and officer has a duty to protect the health, safety, and wellbeing of staff. This obligation is not new.

However, the proposed Psychological Health Regulations will likely require employers to develop and maintain a system to identify psychosocial hazards, and eliminate or reduce the risks associated with them in consultation with staff.

The Victorian Chamber’s expert Health, Safety and Wellbeing Consultants have developed a comprehensive program to assist employers of all sizes and industry types proactively manage mental health risks in the workplace.

Mental Health Comply is designed to help you tackle psychological risks and allow your business to thrive.

The Victorian Chamber will be offering a limited number of subsidised program places to proactive employers who wish to comply with their legal obligations, improve productivity and become an employer of choice.

What the program offers

Mental health in the workplace is complex and can be overwhelming to tackle. Mental Health Comply uses a three-step process to help identify your workplace obligations, the processes required, and how to identify psychological risks.

1: Assess

The Chamber conducts a gap analysis audit to understand what you are currently doing to manage psychological risks, and how this compares to your legal obligations and recommended best practice. Our expert consultants work with a key contact from your business. You’ll receive a detailed report outlining your strengths and areas for potential improvement.

2: Educate

An informative, interactive two-hour workshop for managers and senior leaders covers legal obligations and regulations, provides practical and proven techniques to identify hazards and reduce the risks, and equips managers and senior leaders with everything they need to know about psychosocial hazards in the workplace.

3: Gather the facts

Asking your employees to provide anonymous feedback on psychosocial hazards is the most effective way of understanding risks and taking effective action. You’ll be provided with a personalised copy of a simple, effective employee survey to administer. You’ll receive a detailed report outlining key findings.

Victorian Chamber’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager Anton Zytnik said: “The Mental Health Comply program will help businesses to proact rather than react. We want as many employers as possible to understand how to manage this complex area of risk.”

Mental Health Comply is open to all Victorian employers irrespective of size or industry type. Larger employers may also nominate one part of their workplace to participate.

Workplaces must complete all three components listed above (i.e., gap analysis, workshop, survey) within a three-month period, and demonstrate a commitment to participating actively in the program.

Read more and register here

Mental Health Comply is delivered in partnership with EML, which has been supporting employers and workers in Victoria with their work injury insurance and claims since 2016, when EML became an agent for WorkSafe Victoria. EML invests in research and programs – such as the partnership with the Victorian Chamber – to help employers create safer workplaces. EML provides personalised service, working with employers, employees and their treating health practitioners to help people recover from workplace injury and return to work sooner. For more information, please visit EML at eml.com.au.