The Role of Managers in Psychological Risk Assessment
As a manager, you play a crucial role in psychological risk assessment. You are:
- Co-responsible for working conditions in your team
- Multiplier for communication with employees
- Key person in implementing measures
- Role model for healthy stress management
Legal Responsibility
Overall responsibility for occupational health and safety lies with the employer. However, they can delegate duties to managers (§ 13 ArbSchG).
What This Means for You
- You can be obligated to implement occupational health measures
- Violation of these duties can result in personal liability
- Delegation must be in writing and clearly defined
Your Specific Duties
- Participation in risk assessment for your area
- Implementation of measures in your area of responsibility
- Information and instruction of your employees
- Reporting hazards to higher authorities
Your Influence on Psychological Stress
Studies show: Leadership behavior is one of the most important factors for mental health in the workplace.
Positive Influencing Factors
- Show appreciation and recognition
- Communicate clear expectations
- Grant room for decision-making
- Give and receive feedback
- Offer support with problems
- Maintain transparent communication
Risk Factors
- Authoritarian or inconsistent leadership style
- Lack of communication
- No recognition of achievements
- Unrealistic expectations
- Lack of support in conflicts
Your Tasks in the Risk Assessment Process
1. Preparation
- Inform your team about the upcoming survey
- Explain purpose and benefits
- Encourage participation
- Assure anonymity
2. Implementation
- Allow time for the survey
- Don't apply pressure
- Don't participate in the survey for your own team (anonymity!)
3. Results Discussion
- Communicate results openly
- No blame assignments
- Analyze causes together
4. Measure Development
- Involve employees
- Develop realistic measures
- Reflect on your own leadership behavior
5. Implementation
- Implement measures consistently
- Communicate progress
- Readjust when problems arise
Learning Healthy Leadership
Healthy leadership can be learned. The following measures help:
Training
- Leadership training on healthy leadership
- Stress management seminars
- Workshops on communication and conflict resolution
Coaching
- Individual leadership coaching
- Reflection on your own leadership behavior
- Development of personal strategies
Self-Care
Only those who are healthy themselves can lead healthily:
- Know your own stress limits
- Model work-life balance
- Accept support
Conclusion
As a manager, you have significant influence on your employees' mental health. Use risk assessment as an opportunity to support your team even better. SafeMind provides you with the data and recommendations you need.
