Trauma-informed organisations – it’s a hot topic these days, and for good reason.
So, what’s a trauma-informed organisation all about?
It’s basically a workplace that gets it. They understand that trauma is way more common than we used to think, and it can affect anyone, from the CEO to reception. These organisations realise that trauma can impact how people work, interact, and even how they respond to everyday situations.
Now, let us clear up what it is not. It is not about turning your workplace into a therapy centre or expecting everyone to share their deepest secrets. It is not about being an expert in trauma. It is also not about labelling people as “traumatised” or treating them like they are fragile.
I like to explain to organisations who take both the new psychosocial laws seriously and want to reduce their risk as well as support their team, that being a trauma informed organisations takes a 360-support framework. It creates space to be real about systems and processes that reduce peoples stress. It allows the leaders to get the behavioural competencies that can help their team, ‘get on with it’ despite the drama happening at work. Lastly it enables the team to understand their own risk, and take responsibility for their own leaking energy, process their feelings and do the decompressing they need and recovery the ‘right way’.
It does not put all the responsibility on the person to be strong despite whatever happens.
The Risks of Ignoring Trauma
In today’s world, not thinking about trauma in the workplace is like trying to sail a ship with your eyes closed. You are gonna hit some icebergs.
Food for thought:
- Mental health issues are on the rise, and they’re costing businesses big time. Mental health conditions are associated with significantly more time off work. In Australia, the median time lost for mental health conditions was 34.2 working weeks per serious claim, compared to 8.0 working weeks for all injuries and diseases.
- The pandemic has left a lot of people dealing with new or intensified trauma. I see more anxiety in workplaces than ever before.This can result in Presenteeism. Presenteeism (reduced productivity when working while unwell) costs an estimated $1,680 per employee annually, more than double the cost of absenteeism. Crazy!
- Social and political tensions are spilling over into the workplace and the call for conflict resolution as a workforce trainer has never been so high.
Ignoring these realities can lead to a whole host of problems, from decreased productivity to increased turnover and even legal issues.
Trauma-Informed Approach and Psychosocial Risk Laws
Many countries are introducing new laws around psychosocial risks at work. These laws are all about protecting employees’ mental health and well-being.
A trauma-informed approach fits right in with these new regulations.
Adopting trauma-informed practices enhances resilience, productivity, and humanity in the workplace.
Boosting Productivity and Reducing Absenteeism
Now, let’s talk bottom line. A trauma-informed organisation isn’t simply good for the soul – it’s good for business too. When employees feel safe, understood, and supported, amazing things happen:
- Productivity goes up. People who feel psychologically safe are more creative, more engaged, and more likely to go the extra mile. Presenteeism can be a thing of the past.
- Absenteeism goes down. When people have the tools to manage stress and feel supported at work, they’re less likely to call in sick.
- Retention improves. Employees stick around when they feel valued and understood.
The Bigger Picture
Becoming a trauma-informed organisation is about more than just avoiding problems. It is about creating a workplace where people can thrive, even when life throw curveballs their way. It is about building resilience, innovation, and creating a culture of mutual respect and understanding
So, are you ready to take your organisation to the next level?
It is not about becoming experts in trauma. It’s about starting the conversation, being open to learning, and making small changes that can have a big impact.
After all, in a world that can sometimes feel pretty chaotic, creating a trauma-informed workplace is like offering a port in the storm. And who wouldn’t want to work somewhere like that?
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Warmly,
Michelle
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