July 3, 2024 – Defense News

The nine dimensions of health and well-being (as outlined in the Defence Team’s Comprehensive Health and Well-being Strategy) are interconnected elements that together contribute to overall well-being.

Psychosocial working environment

By “psychosocial work environment” we mean the relationship between an individual and the psychological and social factors present in their workplace. How and when work is assigned, deadlines, workload, working methods and professional relationships are examples of psychosocial considerations.

Psychosocial risk factors

A poor psychosocial work environment can lead to work stress and increase the likelihood that a person will leave their job.

Psychosocial risk factors include:

• a high or unbalanced workload and access to limited support resources
• Unclear performance expectations and missed deadlines
• harmful attitudes and discriminatory behaviour, including racism, bullying and harassment
• unequal working hours

Positive psychosocial working environment

Creating an inclusive and psychologically safe work environment that addresses risk factors and provides appropriate support can have a positive impact on organizations and lead to increased job satisfaction, talent retention and professional performance.

A positive psychosocial working environment particularly promotes:

• respectful relationships between colleagues that promote collaboration and growth
• Process for safely and confidentially dealing with difficult situations in the workplace
• Work that is important and recognized, both by colleagues and the management team

What resources are offered?

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFPAP) provide professional and confidential services to assist members of the defence team with a variety of personal, family and professional concerns.

series Let’s talk about wellness in the workplace (accessible only through the National Defense network) contains thirteen training tools for the Defense team aimed at guiding discussions and raising awareness of psychological factors in the workplace (as defined in). Canadian National Standard for Workplace Mental Health and Safety). Each tool consists of a two-page document with a short lesson that can be covered in 15 to 15 minutes 20 minutes.

The Anti-Racism Learning Hub contains training and resources to help defence team members better understand and eliminate systemic barriers that discriminate against Indigenous, Black, people of colour and racialised members of the defence team.

The Defence Team’s Positive Space programme aims to create a safe and inclusive workplace for all by establishing community volunteer and peer support groups 2SLGBTQI+.

The Defence Ethics Program is a comprehensive, values-based ethics program designed to meet the needs of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) at both the individual and organizational levels.

The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre provides support to victims of sexual misconduct and expert advice to the defence team, whilst also monitoring progress in combating sexual misconduct within the DND and CAF. Anonymous and confidential support is available at all times.

Conflict Solutions and Services is a Defense Team resource dedicated to providing conflict and grievance management services nationwide and assisting its members’ employees in resolving workplace conflicts.

Awards and Recognition (accessible only through the National Defence network) aims to recognise the exceptional professionalism and dedication demonstrated by personnel members – civilian and military – of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Additional resources