WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #66: It Takes More Than Luck To Build These 13 Things

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.

For the superstitious (and the little-bit-stitious), 13 can be an unlucky number. Most tall buildings skip floor 13, for example.

But the Mental Health Commission of Canada says there are 13 key factors which can positively impact an employee’s psychological safety. It takes more than luck to make these 13 things happen; it takes commitment, leadership and kindness. The 13:

1. Mental health concerns are supported and responded to
2. The workplace is characterized by trust, honesty and fairness
3. Clear leadership and expectations
4. People are respectful, considerate and support/help each other
5. Employees have the emotional and technical skills they need for their role
6. Employees receive encouragement and support to develop
7. Recognition and reward of employees' efforts
8. Employees are included in discussions about how their work is done
9. Workloads are appropriately managed
10. Employees enjoy and feel connected to their work
11. There is recognition of the need for work/life balance
12. Employees feel able to ask questions, report mistakes, or share ideas
13. Appropriate action is taken to protect employees’ physical safety at work

Let’s work together to make these 13 things a reality on our job site or in our office today.

ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 75 companies and 7,000+ construction professionals better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.