Great-West Life and Dr. Joti Samra launch new tool for leaders to promote psychologically safe workplaces

WINNIPEG, March 26, 2019 /CNW/ - The Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and Dr. Joti Samra announced the launch of the Psychologically Safe Leader Assessment (PSLA), a free, online tool helping assess leadership strategies related to psychological health and safety.

The assessment was developed by a team of Canadian researchers led by Dr. Joti Samra, R. Psych. – an innovator in the area of psychological health and safety in the workplace, and principal and founder of MyWorkplaceHealth.com.

The PSLA can help create a psychologically safe workplace where employees can thrive. Through the tool, leaders obtain feedback on the extent to which they implement effective strategies in five key areas:

• Communication and collaboration;
• Social intelligence;
• Problem solving and conflict management;
• Security and safety; and
• Fairness and equality.

"The PSLA draws on evidence showing that employees who work for psychologically safe leaders are more likely to report higher job satisfaction and engagement, better workplace relationships, and better psychological well-being," said Dr. Samra.

"The National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace acknowledges the need for organizations to ensure that those in leadership roles have the training and skills to support psychological safety, and we wanted to find a way for employers and leaders to meet this requirement," said Mary Ann Baynton, Program Director for The Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace. "We look forward to continue building healthier workplaces through resources like the PSLA."

With the PSLA, for the first time leaders can assess the extent to which their strategies align with the National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. Results from the PSLA can be supplemented by the Psychological Safe Leader Assessment: Employee Feedback (PSLA-E), allowing leaders to receive feedback from their direct reports.

To take the assessment, visit psychologicallysafeleader.com.

To learn more about the PSLA and other resources offered by the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace, visit workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com/psla.

About the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace
Established in 2007, the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace is a leading source of practical ideas, tools and resources designed to help with the prevention, intervention and management of workplace mental health issues. Around the world, Canada is recognized as an international leader in workplace mental health. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to this distinction and it has been a privilege for the Centre to have played a part in many of their important initiatives. For more information, visit the Centre's website at workplacestrategiesformentalhealth.com.

About The Great-West Life Assurance Company
Great-West Life is a leading Canadian insurer, focused on improving the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. For more than 125 years, our customers across Canada have trusted us to provide for their financial security needs and deliver on the promises we have made. Together with our subsidiaries London Life and Canada Life, we serve the financial security needs of 13 million people across Canada. To learn more, visit greatwestlife.com.

SOURCE The Great-West Life Assurance Company

Liz Kulyk, Director, Media & Public Affairs, Great-West Life, 204-926-5012, [email protected]