Psychosocial Risk Management for a Healthier Workplace A Practical Implementation Guide

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1. Understanding Psychosocial Risk

• 1.1 Psychosocial Hazards and Psychosocial Risks: What They Are in Simple Terms
• 1.2 How Does Mental Health Harm Occur?
• 1.3 What Is Stress?
• 1.4 Why the Current Focus on Psychosocial Risk?
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 2. How to Get Your Leaders and Colleagues Excited About Psychosocial Risk

• 2.1 What Executives Need
• 2.2 What Middle Managers Need
• 2.3 What Staff Need
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 3. How to Secure Funding for Psychosocial Risk Initiatives

• 3.1 Productivity Loss Through Absenteeism and Presenteeism
• 3.2 Workforce Stability Through Turnover and Recruitment
• 3.3 Claims and Regulatory Exposure
• 3.4 Performance and Engagement
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 4. Psychosocial Risk Policies and Processes

• 4.1 Deciding Whether to Develop a Psychosocial Risk Policy
• 4.2 Operational Processes for Psychosocial Risk Management
• 4.3 Integrating Psychosocial Risk Management Across WHS and HR
• 4.4 Designing Trauma-Informed Processes
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 5. Psychosocial Safety Frameworks

• 5.1 ISO 45003: The International Benchmark
• 5.2 The Canadian Standard: CSA Z1003
• 5.3 Safe Work Australia's Model Code of Practice
• 5.4 UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Management Standards
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 6. How to Manage Psychosocial Risk – A Six-Step Model

• The Six-Step Model
• 6.1 Step 1: Preparing the Risk Assessment
• 6.2 Step 2: Identifying Psychosocial Hazards
• 6.3 Step 3: Assessing Which Hazards Are Risks
• 6.4 Step 4: Identifying Appropriate Control Measures
• 6.5 Step 5: Reporting Findings and Implementing Controls
• 6.6 Step 6: Monitoring, Reviewing, and Improving Controls
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 7. Common Psychosocial Risks and How to Control Them

• 7.1 Job Demands
• 7.2 Poor Change Management
• 7.3 Poor Support from Manager
• 7.4 Low Role Clarity (Including Role Conflict)
• 7.5 Poor Workplace Relationships and Incivility
• 7.6 Bullying
• 7.7 Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment)
• 7.8 Threats of Violence and Physical Violence
• 7.9 Exposure to Traumatic Events (Including Moral Injury)
• 7.10 Remote or Isolated Work
• 7.11 Digital Work Systems (Including AI)
• 7.12 Fatigue
• 7.13 Poor Reward and Recognition
• 7.14 Low Job Control
• 7.15 Poor Work-Life Balance
• 7.16 Poor Organizational Justice
• 7.17 Hazardous Physical Working Environments
• 7.18 Job Insecurity
• 7.19 Poor Horizontal and Vertical Trust, and Low Coworker Support
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 8. Learning from Practice – Industry Case Studies

• 8.1 The University of Sydney: Psychosocial Risk in Higher Education
• 8.2 A Hospital: Psychosocial Risk in Healthcare
• 8.3 Wagga Wagga City Council: Psychosocial Risk in Public Administration
• 8.4 Sydney Water: Psychosocial Risk in a Government-Owned Utilities Company
• 8.5 Belgravia Leisure: Psychosocial Risk in the Recreation Industry
• 8.6 Psychosocial Risk in a Global Company
• 8.7 Inclusee: Psychosocial Risk in Aged Care
• Chapter Summary
• References

Chapter 9. What Next?

• 9.1 Identify Your Next Step
• 9.2 Create Your 90-Day Action Plan
• Chapter Summary

Chapter 10. Academic Foundations and Current Research on Psychosocial Risk

• 10.1 Fundamental Academic Models That Underpin Psychosocial Risk
• 10.2 Current Research Findings and Their Implications for Practice
• Chapter Summary
• Closing Words
• References

Biography

Dr Georgi Toma is the founder of HeartBrain Works, an Australian-based consultancy, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her work spans research and consulting on burnout, wellbeing, and psychosocial safety in high-pressure workplaces.

"Psychosocial Risk Management is an essential guide for practicing professionals grappling with growing focus on workplace psychosocial hazards. While the book is thoroughly grounded in the relevant research, it is also informed by decades of real-world practice. The result is a practical resource that covers key concepts, explains the how’s (how do psychosocial hazards harm health & wellbeing?) and why’s (why now the focus on psychosocial hazards?), and most importantly - provides concrete guidance for action."

Tony LaMontagne, Professor of Work, Health & Wellbeing, Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia)

"Regulators across the world are pulling psychosocial risk into the heart of what workplaces are now expected to manage, and practitioners have been waiting for a guide that meets the moment. This is that guide. Georgi cuts through the tangle of international standards and Australia's shifting regulatory landscape with real assurance, and she turns what can feel like an overwhelming compliance burden into a practical path forward. WHS and HR leaders will want this one within arm's reach."

Julia Whitford, Chief Executive officer, Australian Institute of Health & Safety (AIHS)

"With psychosocial risk now firmly embedded in WHS regulation, this book meets a real and growing need. Georgi cuts through the complexity of international frameworks and Australian regulatory change, providing clear, practical guidance for turning obligation into effective practice. A highly relevant resource for WHS and HR leaders serious about managing psychosocial risk well."

Scott Vanderheyden, General Manager - Health & Safety, Belgravia Health & Leisure Group, ARI NSW Board Director

"As psychosocial risk moves from the margins of WHS practice to the centre of regulatory attention worldwide, Psychosocial Risk Management arrives at exactly the right moment. Georgi navigates the complexity of international frameworks and Australian regulatory developments with clarity and confidence, and offers practitioners an evidence-based, rigorous roadmap for turning obligation into meaningful action. A book that deserves a place on every WHS and HR leader’s shelf.”

Kim Grady, Chief Health, Safety & Wellbeing Officer (CHSWO), The University of Sydney

"Through effective storytelling, real-world application and case studies, Georgi distils extensive evidence and foundational constructs into a practical roadmap for safety and HR practitioners navigating the current regulatory framework. Regardless of the complexity of the psychosocial hazard interplay in your organisation, the concepts developed through Psychosocial Risk Management and detailed guidance will boost clarity and confidence in taking meaningful action in this crucial area. For those keen to further understand research developments informing the evolution of current frameworks, a comprehensive evidence-base is detailed."

Cara Williams, People & Culture and Safety Leader, Aged Care Industry

"Through my work, I’ve seen how workplace mental health is too often addressed only after harm has occurred, through individual and clinical responses. This book makes a necessary shift, reframing psychosocial health as a matter of work design, leadership, and organisational systems. Grounded in evidence and real world practice, it focuses on prevention at its source and supports healthier, more sustainable workplaces."

Simon Killeen, General Manager Safety & Sustainability, Intellihub