- In 2016/17 we advanced the implementation of an Enterprise wide foundation strategy – we changed the way we thought and spoke about Mental Health
- Focus on protective factors, stigma reduction and education.
Our Psychological Health and Wellbeing Strategy
To create a mentally healthy workplace, we need to protect, promote and support the wellbeing of our workforce. Since its implementation, our wellbeing strategy has focused on meeting two key objectives:
(1) Supporting those who experience symptoms of mental-ill health through our EAP/WAP program
(2) Implementing protective factors to help our people stay mentally well.
This involves educating our workforce about the mental health continuum and the role-specific psychosocial risks present across different areas of our business. To support your understanding, please access our Guidelines to understanding and controlling Australia Post's critical psychosocial risks. Find out more about our Psychological Health and Wellbeing Strategy and psychological safety working groups on this page.
- Our foundations are in place, our protective factors are strong
- Improved awareness and work to reduce stigma has increased EAP utilisation across the organisation
- Commenced a psychosocial risk profile approach.
- A holistic approach with consistent but tailorable implementation
- Maintenance of our strong foundations paired with a tailored risk-based approach for our broad workforce
- A strong voice in the community in support of the positive role workplaces can play in creating care and connection.
Psychological safety for Managers
As a manager, you play an important role in looking after the safety and wellbeing of your team. It is important to learn to identify the early warning signs of mental ill health and know how to respond appropriately.
Converge International's Manager Assist service provides coaching and advice to assist with a variety of people management issues and helps develop your leadership competencies. It’s a telephone advisory service accessible to people leaders during business hours. The service is provided by independent psychologists or consultants. Manager Assist is a valuable resource for anyone in a manager role. Whether you are new to the position or more experienced, specialised consultants will be able to provide you with expert advice to help you manage your team more effectively.
The Manager Assist service is available for telephone, in person or video-conferencing appointments. You are entitled to 6 sessions per year.
If a member/s of your team have experienced recent trauma (e.g. a death of a loved one), as a manager you have the option to arrange pro-active support through organising an on-site visit from Converge.
Working from home tip sheet for people leaders
What action can I take if I am concerned about a team member?
- Have a private and confidential conversation with them about your concerns
- Talk to them about accessing the support of the EAP/WAP ph. 1300 687 327
- Liaise with Converge to arrange an onsite visit from the EAP/WAP
- Contact Manager Assist for support and advice with managing the situation ph. 1300 687 327
- Contact the People Services team (all people-related support) via the People Services Portal or phone 1300 116 947.
Strategies for managing stress in our team
- Review the leader guide for how to effectively manage stress in your team
- Keep yourself calm
- Impart the message that you are open and available for team members to approach you for further support
- Check in with a team member you are concerned about daily – make “R U OK?” a daily question
- Continue regular communication and updates with your team via meetings including in-person meetings as well as Microsoft Teams, WebEx, email communication and teleconferences to meet the needs of employees who are working remotely
- Consider holding regular meetings to check in on the wellbeing of your team.
Our Psychological Health and Wellbeing Strategy has 5 key strategic pillars:
- Identify and control psychosocial exposure
- Build capability
- Measure impact
- Policy advisory
- Best practice approach to workplace mental health
We currently have Mental Health and Wellbeing Working Groups operating across the business. Listed below are the Chairs of each Working Group:
- NSW/ACT Network Operations: Normy Chamoun, Head of Processing NSW/ACT
- Finance & Group Legal: Carole McTavish, National Credit Manager
- Retail: Geoffrey Hyland, Manager
- Customer Success: Dale Robinson, Safety & Wellbeing Manager
- Parcel, Post & eCommerce Services: Dean Kappler, Sales Director
- Community, Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement: Sally Glover, Advisor
- People & Culture: Eliza Knight-Smith, Wellbeing Program Manager
Find out more about each of our four strategic pillars in our Psychological Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
