FREDERICTON, Nov. 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Bullying complaints, human rights violations, and accusations of harassment are just some of the potential outcomes of a psychologically unsafe workplace. Increasingly, the onus is on employers to protect the psychological safety of their employees in the workplace. The University of Fredericton (UFred) has responded to this need with the launch of its new, fully-online Certificate in Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace, developed with the support of the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace (the Centre). The is the first certificate program in Canada to be delivered completely online with a specific focus on the new National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (the Standard).
Legal and research developments influenced the launch of the Standard in 2013. The Standard is a framework to assess and address issues that impact psychological health and safety (PH&S) of employees. With the framework of the Standard in mind, the UFred Online Certificate in Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace is designed to help participants understand PH&S concepts and their roles in keeping their organizations psychologically safe and healthy. The Certificate program was developed by Dr. Joti Samra, R. Psych., a member of the Technical Committee that developed the Standard, with support from the Centre.
"The University of Fredericton is proud to partner with Dr. Samra and have the support of the Centre on this important project," says UFred President, Don Roy. "Our goal is to provide employees, managers and senior leaders with the skills they need to build, support and sustain psychologically healthy and safe work environments."
The certificate program is delivered fully-online, on a self-paced schedule. This convenient, flexible delivery method allows for employees and leaders to participate in the courses and apply their knowledge in real-time. The online campus is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, requiring only internet access. Participants will gain practical knowledge while working on their own schedules, adding immediate value to their organizations.
The certificate begins with An Introduction to Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace. As the first of five courses in the certificate program, the course is designed to help organizations bring their employees up-to-speed, providing a stronger understanding of PH&S concepts. It will also cover the legal trends, health implications and business case for implementing a PH&S strategy within the workplace. Those who successfully complete this first course will receive a Certificate of Completion.
The following four courses, which are oriented towards organizational leaders, focus on creating and evaluating effective PH&S programs, keeping the framework of the Standard at the forefront. A management-level certificate is also currently in development, catering specifically to senior management and leaders.
As described by Dr. Samra, "The certificate as a whole is designed to help today's workforce leaders align their organizations with the Standard, helping participants to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate PH&S strategies and programs." She goes on to conclude that "By the end of the program, workforce leaders will be empowered to effectively address PH&S in the workplace."
For further details, or to apply, please visit www.ufred.ca.
About Dr. Joti Samra
Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych., is an innovator in the area of psychological health and wellness in the workplace. She is part of the development team for Guarding Minds @ Work: A Workplace Guide to Psychological Health and Safety, an innovative online resource to address psychosocial threats in the work environment, and was a member of the Technical Committee that developed Canada's first National Standard on Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace (CSA Z1003/BNQ 9700).
www.drjotisamra.com / @drjotisamra
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 employers with the prevention, intervention and management of workplace mental health issues. The Centre is a public resource established by The Great-West Life Assurance Company as part of their commitment to enriching the communities where we live and work.
Visit the Centre's website at www.WorkplaceStrategiesforMentalHealth.com
About the University of Fredericton
The University of Fredericton (UFred) is a fully online Canadian University headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick. UFred offers online certificate, diploma, and degree programs that emphasize leadership development and lifelong learning for upwardly mobile professionals. Most recently, UFred launched a Centre for Psychological Health and Safety, home to the new Certificate in Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace.
Learn more at www.UFred.ca
Image with caption: "University of Fredericton (CNW Group/University of Fredericton)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141118_C5159_PHOTO_EN_8211.jpg
SOURCE: University of Fredericton
Sarah Chiasson, Marketing and Media Relations, University of Fredericton, 506-454-6232 ext. 224, [email protected]
Share this article