Psychosocial Risks at Work

For some time now, Human Resources managers contacting us for corporate teambuilding activities have been regularly raising concerns about the challenges they face regarding psychosocial risks at work. Initially, I assumed these were simply the lingering repercussions of the pandemic on employees.

Clearly, I hadn’t fully grasped the subject. Through ongoing discussions and searching for solutions for our clients, I realized that mental health and psychosocial risks are omnipresent in the daily lives of workers.

Regardless of skill level or responsibility within a company, everyone can be affected. At Spiniko, we try to contribute in our own way to this sensitive topic.

Everyone is Concerned (According to the INSPQ)

To better understand what we’re talking about, here is a non-exhaustive list of factors that can harm the mental health of workers, as proposed by the INSPQ (Quebec’s National Institute of Public Health):

• Work Overload: Too many tasks or overly complex tasks leading to excessive stress.
• Lack of Social Support: Absence of support from colleagues or supervisors.
• Lack of Recognition: Insufficient positive feedback and appreciation for work performed.
• Interpersonal Conflicts: Tensions or disputes between colleagues or with management, creating a hostile work environment.

Reading this, are you also thinking, “Oh definitely, I’ve experienced that!”? For my part, as an entrepreneur, work overload is my constant battle. And now that I have two children… let’s just say juggling all these responsibilities isn’t easy!

Finding Solutions

So, what solutions are available to help us manage all of this? Various organizations offer tools. The INSPQ, for example, has created highly relevant individual fact sheets. As a business owner, I also have a duty to find collective solutions.

Of course, what I know best is teambuilding. It helps unify, strengthen bonds, improve communication, and reduce conflict. At Spiniko, we know how to create reward-based activities. However, this subject truly resonates with me, and when your daily job is “play,” you have to find something more to offer employees. It’s like giving flowers to a florist—they might think it’s nice, but it’s not going to 100% refill their “love tank!”

Training to Support Us

While researching online, I discovered a prevention program for psychosocial risks at work offered by the company Formatrad.

The statistics they share are striking! The one that stood out most to me was the impact on profitability. Naturally, as a business owner, I want my business to be profitable. So, when I read that the average loss of profitability related to professional stress is estimated at 14%, it immediately caught my attention.

If you want to learn more, I invite you to read Formatrad’s article on the “11 reasons to care about mental health in the workplace.” It is an excellent resource for deepening your understanding. They also offer training on preventing psychosocial risks in the workplace, aimed at improving work climate and staff retention throughout Quebec.

I felt compelled to write this article after reading a study summary from the Robert Sauvé Institute released this morning. We can all improve things daily within our companies. But first, we must understand what we are talking about.