Tips for Managing Psychosocial Risk & Workplace Wellbeing in Aotearoa | EnableWorks.

Discover practical strategies for managing psychosocial hazards—like workload, conflict, poor change management—in New Zealand workplaces. EnableWorks offers expert guidance on designing mentally healthy, safe, and productive environments.

Tips on Managing Psychological Risks in Your Workplace

Creating mentally healthy, safe, and productive work environments – with EnableWorks.

Workplaces across Aotearoa are increasingly recognising the importance of mental wellbeing alongside physical safety. At EnableWorks, we know that psychological health is critical to thriving teams and sustainable performance. That’s why managing psychosocial risks, things like high job demands, poor communication, or conflict is no longer a “nice to have”, but an essential part of good business.

So, what are psychosocial risks exactly? And how can you manage them effectively in your workplace?

What Are Psychosocial Risks?

Psychosocial risks refer to aspects of work that can impact an employee’s psychological wellbeing. This might include:

- High or unrelenting workload

- Unclear job expectations

- Poorly managed organisational change

- Interpersonal conflict or bullying

- Lack of support from leaders or colleagues

These risks can lead to increased stress, anxiety, burnout, absenteeism, and in some cases, mental injury claims. Unlike physical hazards, they’re often invisible—but the impacts are very real.

Why This Matters for NZ Workplaces

Under New Zealand’s Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, employers are required to manage risks to both physical and mental health. This means proactively identifying, minimising, and where possible, eliminating psychosocial hazards.

More than just compliance, taking care of your team’s psychological health:

- Boosts productivity and morale

- Reduces staff turnover and sick leave

- Builds a strong, supportive culture

- Enhances your reputation as an employer of choice

7 Practical Tips to Manage Psychological Risks

1. Start with a Risk Assessment

Understand the key stressors in your workplace. Tools, surveys, or guided workshops can help uncover underlying issues that may be affecting your people.

2. Create Clear Policies and Pathways

Document how your business will handle things like bullying, stress, or workload issues. Policies should promote psychological safety, respect, and confidentiality.

3. Upskill Leaders and Teams

Provide training on:

- Mental health literacy

- Constructive conversations

- Recognising early signs of stress

- Creating supportive team environments

EnableWorks delivers targeted training to equip leaders and staff.

4. Design Better Work

Sometimes the problem isn’t the people—it’s the work. Through our Better Work by Design approach, we help adjust tasks, expectations, and systems for healthier work patterns.

5. Foster a Culture of Care

Encourage open dialogue and feedback. Recognise the wins, and be present when things get tough. Culture is lived daily.

6. Involve Your People

Engage employees in designing wellbeing initiatives and improvements. When staff help shape the solutions, trust and ownership grow.

7. Review Regularly

Track indicators like sick leave, staff feedback, and wellbeing surveys to guide continuous improvement.

Let’s Work Well, Together

At EnableWorks, we support New Zealand workplaces to manage psychosocial risk through evidence-based assessments, practical support, and system-level change. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to build on what you’ve done, we’re here to help.

📩 info@enableworks.co.nz 🌐 www.enableworks.co.nz

Related Services

• Explore our Psychosocial Assessment using Abilita

• Learn more about our Early Intervention services

• Read about our Ergonomics and Injury Prevention approach

EnableWorks – New Zealand owned provider of psychosocial assessment, injury prevention, and workplace wellbeing services.

Christchurch-based with national reach, over 30 years of trusted service.