Responding to reports

There are various ways in which an organisation may receive reports of exposures to psychosocial hazards and risk factors.

When receiving a report, it is important that there is communication with the individual or group of workers affected about how it will be addressed, and whether the response will be an informal or formal process. Keeping people updated about the progress of their report helps to establish trust and encourages a reporting culture.

Consultation with safety and health representatives and affected workers is important. However, it will not always be appropriate to consult with safety and health representatives if the initiating report or subsequent investigation includes sensitive and confidential information about other workers.

Considerations for investigations

Those undertaking an investigation should be competent in identifying psychosocial risk factors, hazards, sources of risks, and appropriate preventative control measures. As investigations into psychosocial risk factors and hazards can be complex, input from subject matter experts (e.g. organisational psychologists, organisational development consultants, human resources consultants) may be required.