I have so many great memories nursing in Melbourne at St. Vincents Hospital. The old Florence Nightingale wards that had lead light window at one end above the doors that lead to a parquetry mosaic floor and on both sides were sash windows that lead to verandas on both sides.

Light filled but the long narrow ward only afforded curtains for privacy.
A woman I’ll call Sarah was an older nurse who bullied everyone. The old saying that nurses eat their young was alive and well back then. When a nurse would be found crying in the pan room and admit that Sarah had been rude, we all nodded and the powers that be said- that’s just Sarah and we all know what she is like and we have to deal with it.
That is how I got into Health leadership coaching. I worked one on one with leaders who had a complaint about them.
These days having someone like that just doesn’t cut it. In fact, its against the new Work Health Safety (WHS) laws.
Psychosocial risks like this in the workplace aren’t just about bullying or harassment. Under the new WHS laws, any workplace factor that impacts mental health can be a hazard.
This includes things you might not think of: unclear job roles, unrealistic deadlines, or lack of control over tasks. If these go unmanaged, they’re now considered legal risks under the new regulations—just like physical safety hazards.
It’s crucial to audit these ‘hidden’ risks within your organisation.
Need help understanding what to look for?
Let’s chat about practical steps you can take to stay compliant and protect your team.
Warmly,
Michelle
P.S. Keep a look out for another email about a challenge I’m running in the next few days.
Useful Links
Buy my Transformational Leadership book
Do a Leadership Team Framework Diagnostic
Loved this email? Forward it!
Post it on LinkedIn or your company intranet. Forward it to your friends and colleagues.
Share the love!