Rowley Associates

Since 1999 the American Psychological Association has been assessing and recognizing organizations, large and small, that provide a psychologically healthy place to work. Its an interesting, and important measure of organizational functioning as it provides an alternative to focusing on what is wrong by looking at businesses that have got it right.

To be regarded as a Psychologically Healthy Workplace organizations are evaluated in five areas:

1. Employee involvement. The degree to which the organization empowers workers, involving them in decision making and giving them increased job autonomy.
2. Work-life balance. The psychologically healthy workplace recognizes that employees have lives out side the work place and need support managing multiple demands. Organizations are measured on criteria such as flexible working arrangements, for example tele-working and flextime, childcare and eldercare benefits.
3. Employee Growth and Development. Does your company invest in the growth of its employees? Do you promote both internal and external training opportunities; have you a competency based culture that identifies the skills and behaviors employees need to develop in order to advance their careers
4. Health and safety. These initiatives maximize the physical and mental health of employees through the assessment, prevention and treatment of health risks.  Initiatives’ include programs of stress management, weight loss and smoking cessation programs.
5. Employee recognition. Recognition programs are designed to reward individuals both individually and collectively for their contributions to the organization. Recognition can take a number of different forms – formal and informal (broad recognition to the overall business or organization would be an example of formal recognition; verbal feedback or appreciation and/or an email to an employee or team is an example of informal recognition).

Previous winners of the award include companies such as IBM and Southwest Airlines. Smaller businesses and not-for-profit have also won the award and been recognized examples of best practice. To learn more about what it takes to create a ‘Psychologically Healthy Workplace’ click here. If your interested in applying to become part of the program click here. I am part of the committee assessing the applications of companies applying for the award in Maryland. I’ll keep you updated on the winning submissions in my state.