Mental health in the workplace: Lessons from the BRANZ research report

Promoting the psychological health and safety of workers at work is an important aspect of ensuring businesses meet their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act. In the aftermath of the Christchurch attacks, businesses should remember that workers may be under significant stress from personal as well as workplace issues, and they may need your support.

A high percentage of New Zealander’s suffer from mental health issues or distress. An acute example is the construction industry, where the rates of suicide are many times higher than workplace accidents. In 2018, BRANZ released a research report focussed on improving mental health, and reducing suicide rates, within the industry. Some significant observations of the report include:

1. Workplace culture is a key aspect contributing to safer workplaces. The ‘harden up’ attitude, intolerance for diversity, and high-pressure nature of the workplace were found to be key drivers of widespread mental distress, along with a lack of purpose from a perceived undervalued career path.
2. There is a connection between good mental health and a lower risk of physical harm.
3. Mental distress lowers productivity and increases costs, exacerbating high pressure and stressful work environments.
4. Workers see that ‘presenteeism’ in the workplace affects worker safety at work.

These issues apply across a range of workplaces, and it is not a simple task to develop practical solutions to address them. The report emphasised that solutions must be tailored specifically to each issue in the context of the wider industry environment. For example, although promoting strengths-based wellness might be a sound approach to improving mental health in some workplaces, there are indications that such programmes are having trouble gaining traction in the construction industry. The BRANZ report suggests that an approach which is created in partnership with the industry is key to finding effective resolutions. Even across industries, the risks may be similar but factors such as geographical location, company policy, management styles and community demographics will play a part in the risks faced.

Just as no two workplaces have the same health and safety systems in place to prevent physical injuries, policies addressing mental wellbeing will be most effective when they are specific and engage with your workplace’s identity (at an individual or industry level). Now is a good time to assess how your workplace promotes good mental health among workers, and review health and safety policies and practices to address any concerns in a practical and measurable way.

By Sarah-Lee Stead, Special Counsel, and Richard Monigatti, Associate, from Kensington Swan’s specialist Health and Safety team.