PSYCHOLO G IC A L H E A LTH
COU NTRY CON DIT ION S
Put a fence around the cliff edge!
Working in the Country: what you think
Changes to workplace safety laws promoting psychological health are welcomed by Branch Vice President Dash Taylor Johnson. Risk is a part of life and it is part of every choice, every decision we make. Being able to identify and manage risk well keeps us safer and healthier for longer. Physical risks are commonly understood but when it comes to our psychological health, it is not as clear as it should be. On 20 May 2021, this nation’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) Ministers met to consider the 34 recommendations that Marie Boland presented in 2018 after Safe Work Australia commissioned her to conduct an independent review of national WHS laws. That psychological injury be treated the same as physical injury was a key recommendation that was supported by at least 6 of the 9 Ministers. (Allegedly, it was not supported by South Australia). The drafting of regulations has begun and unions are part of this process. This could take another 6 months and will need WHS Minister approval, but it will compel employers to assess and reduce psycho-social hazards. These hazards include bullying, unrealistic work demands, sexual harassment, poor change management and fatigue due to long work hours. Familiar? With 20 regulations relating to physical injury in existence and none for psychological injury the adoption of this recommendation has been welcomed by workers Australia-wide. Now we recognise the problems, what about prevention? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a regular go-to for the Department for Education, described to me by a mental health professional as the help you get once you’ve fallen off the
cliff. So how about putting a fence around the edge of the cliff? And that’s where risk assessments come in. Identify the hazard and then make some changes to reduce that risk and hopefully eliminate it. The risks, as clearly identified in the Department’s ‘Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing Procedure’, are known, but is the frequency, duration and impact of exposure to these risks, being considered like it should? “We’ve got your back – you report and we’ll support.” So says the DfE intranet page on workplace violence. And for those psychologically injured, are you being supported as outlined in the procedure? Reporting any hazards or injuries is critical (no pun intended), and essential if support is to be provided. This procedure is very clear on where responsibility lies and for whom, powerful in print. As a worker, you have responsibilities too in the SA WHS Act, to “take reasonable care of his or her health and safety”. Knowing what your rights are is a good place to start. You don’t know what you don’t know. The ‘Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing Procedure’, available on the Department intranet, is one procedure that you should be familiar with. Open it. Read it. Use it. Safety is union business. Mind your head. n For more information on psycho-social hazards visit:
8: www.mindyourhead.org.au
Hundreds of members have shared their experiences about what has attracted them to the country, why they’ve stayed and why they have left. These stories are invaluable as part reviewing the incentives offered for educators working away from the metropolitan area. Here is a snapshot of what members have said:
What attracts you? • Permanency • Right of return • Lifestyle • Sense of adventure.
Why do you stay? • Relationships • Leadership opportunities • For the students •Transfer rights
Why do you leave? • Lack of professional support •Isolation • Access to specialists •Lack of care/recognition from the employer • To be closer to family. Many members have also provided detailed responses and contact details for follow-up, which are much appreciated. As part of our consultative process, targeted visits to country regions are set for the first part of Term 3 to continue this conversation. You can also contact our Country Conditions Standing Committee members directly, via www.aeusa.asn.
au/CountryConditions
AEU members are ready, now we need the Department to listen.
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AEU SA Journal – August 2021 | 1 5
