The start of a new year is a time to reflect and refresh your goals and objectives for the year ahead. Managing a business involving staff can be a really tough role. Establishing a great team and positive workplace culture makes sense for a great business, but also in terms of legal compliance. The pressure and expectations on managers, directors, owners and board members is increasing. But if you are in one of those roles, it may pay to do a quick audit before the start of the year to avoid some of the pitfalls which could very easily arise.
Sexual Harassment and Discrimination. Are you across the positive duty that the legislation requires of you to manage appropriately if there is such an incident in your workplace?
Psychosocial safety. Do you have a plan and the skills to manage situations where a staff member my be either suffering from or causing a psychosocial situation? Are you aware of your responsibilities as a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU.)
Bullying and Harassment. Have you assessed your skills and abilities and perhaps those other managers in your organisation to effectively manage workplace conflict involving bullying and harassment?
These are the three biggest risks to organisation’s health and wellbeing and the following actions could help reduce that risk.
· Check that you have the adequate policies in place and that all staff are aware of their existence.
· Critique your ability as a communicator and assess how much confidence you think staff would have in coming to speak with you about a potential breach of any of these issues.
· Be prepared to ask your staff how they are feeling, how confident they are in you and your organisation to deal with workplace conflict.
Starting a conversation with an external expert in workplace conflict could be a very smart strategic initiative for the start of the year. Knowing there is someone you have at least introduced to your business can provide peace of mind before any issues arise, rather than trying to do it when a major problem occurs.
A new year’s resolution to be proactive about workplace culture by engaging with a professional could be the best move you will make all year!
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