Recovery at work insider - Issue 6

Ensure leaders are engaged and committed to a positive recovery culture

Why is this important?

A positive workplace culture is associated with greater worker engagement and wellbeing, and better recovery at work outcomes following injury.^1,2,3

From the evidence

A positive workplace culture is characterised by a commitment to physical and psychological health and safety, positive workplace relationships, and a supportive recovery environment.⁴

Senior management commitment and support is necessary to build organisational capability to effectively prepare for, respond to and manage work-related injury. ^5,6

Leaders influence the attitudes and behaviours of others. They are essential in implementing the ‘culture of care’ shown to increase worker motivation to return to work (RTW) following injury.^7,8

What you can do

• Assess your workplace culture and identify areas or opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure senior management is engaged in RTW, and that RTW is appropriately resourced.

Build the capability of leaders to effectively respond to reports of injury, and support recovery at work.

Resources and tools

• Safe Work Australia’s short film – ‘Building positive workplace culture and leadership’ 
• Workplace culture and recovery at work – Northcott’s experience video
• SIRA’s free RTW eLearning modules for RTW coordinators and people leaders

Next edition

Our next edition will focus on the importance of leaders creating a positive recovery culture within the workplace.

Get in touch

• Call 13 10 50
• Email [email protected]

Subscribe

Subscribe to the Recovery at work e-newsletter.

Previous editions

Missed an issue? Read our most recent issues below:

• Issue 5: Leaders are committed to building RTW capability
• Issue 4: Design and implement effective return to work systems
• Issue 3: Promote the health benefits of good work and recovery at work
• Issue 2: Positive workplace culture improves recovery at work outcomes
• Issue 1: Successful recovery at work strategies

References

1. Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians. 2017. Consensus Statement on the Health Benefits of Good Work.
2. Superfriend. Building Thriving Workplaces Guidelines and Actions. Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and unlocking organisational performance.
3. Safe Work Australia. 2018. National RTW Survey – Summary Report. Canberra.
4. ibid
5. ibid
6. Return to Work Matters. Workplace Systems to Improve RTW: A practical guide to implementing effective workplace systems. www.rtwmatters.org
7. Global Access Partners. May 2017. Recovery at Work: Engaging Large Employers in Best Practice. 2nd Strategic Roundtable.
8. Safe Work Australia. 2018. National RTW Survey – Summary Report. Canberra.