Leadership Management of Psychosocial Wellbeing in the Public Sector
This ANZSOG Research Model project maps psychosocial risk in the public sector and identifies leadership and management practices that can increase or reduce psychosocial safety.
In Australia, employers, including in the public sector, have a responsibility to create safe and inclusive workplaces that support diversity in all its forms. The NSW Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act) and Model WHS Regulations require employers to address both physical and psychosocial safety, including managing risks associated with workplace stressors and hazards.
Previous research tells us that a focus on psychosocial wellbeing leads to higher employee engagement, better retention, and compliance with legal obligations related to occupational health and safety, creating a supportive, high-performing work culture.
The final report, and accompanying case study, have been produced by ANZSOG in collaboration with the New South Wales Premier’s Department, and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
UTS deployed a mixed methodology to interrogate three Key Research Questions:
What are the key stressors, profiles, and prevalence rates of public sector psychosocial risk, and how do these map to existing leadership practices and management programs, tools and resources?
What are public sector leaders, managers and staff perceptions of current leadership awareness, practices and capabilities regarding psychosocial wellbeing, and how could these be improved upon in the workplace?
What evidence-based leadership initiatives and management capability uplift activities will best support psychosocial wellbeing in the public sector?
The report concluded that a significant number of NSW public sector employees were being impacted by psychosocial stress, and that there was no ‘silver bullet’ or top down strategy that could address this. It found that an uplift in leader management for PSW in public sector workplaces will require a combination of institutional (macro), organisational (meso) and individual (micro) strategies.
The research outlines a range of potential strategies for public sector agencies who want to lift their capability to manage psychosocial wellbeing.