Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I used to believe, says Dr. Martin Shain, that the impetus for a psychologically safe and healthy
working environment must come from the top. A mental health consultant and director and founder of
the Neighbour@Work Centre, Shain now thinks differently. Sometimes we cant wait for senior
leadership to get it. Sometimes we have to assume leadership within our own work unit or team.
Shain and The Neighbour@Work Centre help organizations protect the mental wellbeing of their
employees by promoting a culture of fairness, civility and respect.
Even in relatively unhealthy environments, explains Shain, you can create pockets of health. Its like a
property thats gone wild. You can still create a healthy micro-environment where things will grow. You
have to be careful because these pockets will be at risk of being invaded by the surrounding
environment. However, nurturing growth is possible.
Mary Ann Baynton, a workplace mental health consultant (Mary Ann Baynton & Associates Consulting)
and a member of the Mental Health Commission of Canadas Workforce Advisory Committee, often
coaches people on finding ways to make meaningful changes to their environment without becoming
overwhelmed at the prospect. It can be too much for people to think that theyre going to be able to
change the culture of an entire organization, says Baynton. Instead, I encourage the concept that
every person is a leader in his or her own circle of influence. Whether you are a leader because you have
the authority to be a leader or because people want to follow you, you have the ability to change the
way people interact, and you can set a tone that changes the way people support each other.
The implication: if you recognize an opportunity, says Baynton, dont wait for the CEO to issue a
directive, or for HR to launch a program.
Both Shain and Baynton point to the benefits that can accrue:
greater productivity
reduced absenteeism
greater success in hiring and retaining employees
lower disability costs
better customer service
Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace: strategies, tools and support for