Partnership on mental health in the workplace

SoFA, SEEK and the Melbourne Business School (MBS) have announced a partnership to break down mental health related barriers in the workplace. Sadly, one in five Australians experience mental illness every year^[1], costing Australian businesses $10.6 billion annually^[2].

“SEEK and SoFA have developed an innovative, multi-layered partnership that includes training to all the SEEK staff in best practice policies for a mentally healthy workplace, a focus on how to support staff who may be facing mental-health-related challenges at work, and social procurement, the purchasing of services from social firms, one type of social enterprise which employs up to half the workforce with a mental illness or disability,” says Caroline Crosse AM, executive director of Social Firms Australia.

According to Meahan Callaghan, human resources director at SEEK, “We have 600 people here at SEEK and employ very capable people who have a mental illness. Mental health issues affect everyone at some stage and we really want our employees to know that we are an organisation that respects the need for maintaining good mental health as much as physical health.”

All 600 SEEK employees in Australia and New Zealand will have the opportunity to take part in SoFA’s Supportive Workforce Training program. As well as focusing on practices that promote mental health and wellbeing, and strategies that help build inclusive and productive workforces, SoFA’s allied health consultants have particular expertise in the structures and supports required for employees with a mental illness, and the roles, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees.

To ensure that the training has a genuine and lasting impact, the Melbourne Business School will evaluate the impact this intervention has on staff retention, staff wellbeing, reduced absenteeism and the number of mental-health-related issues in the workplace.

“Research has shown us that organisations which succeed at innovation are also those which have a culture in which employees feel supported and valued. That culture of diversity and inclusion has direct links to productivity, not to mention the wider social and economic benefits. We are excited by our research project with SEEK and SoFA which will provide insights that can guide employment practices for a leading Australian employer,” says Dr Ian Williamson, Helen Macpherson Smith Chair in Leadership for Social Impact at Melbourne Business School.

[1] (ABS 2011)

[2] (PwC 2014: a mentally healthy workplace: Return on Investment Analysis)