Mental health is an important consideration for employers in Victoria, Australia, as they have legal obligations to provide a safe work environment, and this includes mental health. The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (OHS Regulations) outline the responsibilities of employers to protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace.

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments involve making changes to help you continue working or come back to work. Employees facing mental health challenges are safeguarded against discrimination. This protection includes the requirement for employers to provide reasonable adjustments.

Examples of what reasonable adjustments might look like in the workplace:

• adding flexibility to your work hours

• granting time off for appointments

• restructuring your shifts

• altering your workplace location

• modifying your workspace

• establishing goals, reminders, and checklists to manage time and tasks

• reducing your workload or time spent on specific duties

• offering mentorship, coaching, or peer assistance at work

• adjusting tasks that cause stress or overwhelm

• supplying training and assistance.

  Effective and consistent communication

  During work, it can be beneficial to:

• Meet frequently with your supervisor

• collaborate with your supervisor to set achievable objectives and clear expectations

• provide regular progress updates to your supervisor

• regularly engage with a trusted individual for discussions

• request role adjustments when necessary

• articulate your needs to ensure others can provide support

If you're taking a break from work but planning a return, it might be helpful to:

• maintain regular contact with your supervisor to stay connected

• inform your supervisor about your preferences for interactions with colleagues, calls, or emails.

  Your employer might have additional responsibilities if you've been absent due to a compensation claim.

  Develop a strategy for returning to work or staying at work

  Occasionally, working with your supervisor to devise a plan can be beneficial. This clarifies agreed strategies and actions, along with available support, to assist you.

Promoting Positive Mental Health At Work

Here are ten that employers can do to promote positive mental health in the workplace.

1. Encourage regular breaks: The OHS Act requires employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy work environment. This includes providing opportunities for rest and recovery to prevent fatigue and stress. Employers can encourage regular breaks by providing comfortable break areas and promoting a culture that values breaks.

2. Flexible work arrangements: The OHS Act requires employers to identify and control workplace hazards, including psychological hazards. Flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting, job sharing, and flexible schedules, can help employees balance work and personal responsibilities, reducing stress and promoting positive mental health.

3. Training and education: The OHS Regulations require employers to provide employees with information, instruction, and training to perform their work safely. Employers can provide training and education on mental health and stress management to help employees identify and manage stressors and promote positive mental health.

4. Mental health days: The OHS Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace, which includes protecting employees' mental health. Employers can offer mental health days to allow employees to take time off work to address mental health issues.

5. Employee assistance programs: The OHS Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace, which includes addressing psychological hazards. Employee assistance programs (EAPs) can provide employees with access to mental health professionals and resources to address mental health issues.

6. Reduced workload: The OHS Regulations require employers to manage work-related stress by identifying and controlling hazards. Employers can reduce employees' workload or provide additional resources to help manage workload, reducing stress and promoting positive mental health.

7. Promote social connections: The OHS Regulations require employers to identify and control psychological hazards, which includes social isolation and loneliness. Encouraging social connections and relationships among employees can promote positive mental health by reducing social isolation and loneliness.

8. Provide ergonomic workstations: The OHS Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment, which includes ensuring that workstations are ergonomically designed to prevent physical stress and promote positive mental health by reducing physical discomfort.

9. Encourage physical activity: The OHS Act requires employers to provide a safe and healthy workplace, which includes promoting physical health. Encouraging physical activity, such as walking meetings or fitness classes, can promote positive mental health by reducing stress and promoting physical well-being.

10. Create a supportive culture: The OHS Regulations require employers to identify and control psychological hazards, which includes negative workplace culture. Employers can create a supportive culture by promoting open communication, recognizing and rewarding employee accomplishments, and addressing any negative behaviour or actions that may contribute to a negative work environment.

In conclusion, employers have legal obligations to promote positive mental health in the workplace. They can make reasonable adjustments, such as providing regular breaks, flexible work arrangements, and access to mental health resources, to comply with these regulations and create a safe and healthy workplace.