Fear, Trust, and the Cost of Control

CCTV cameras on a cash register may deter theft due to the fear of consequences, such as discipline or dismissal, but they also communicate a lack of trust. If the aim is to prevent physical actions like theft, they work.  But can they prevent occupational health and safety (OHS) breaches like sexual abuse in childcare …

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Buddying Isn’t Babysitting—It’s a Safety System That Can Build Trust

One of the most significant safety challenges for any employer is determining when a new employee is ready to work independently, without direct supervision. When do you trust that they can undertake a task without being hurt? That focus should not be solely on the worker’s ability, though; it should also be on the systems …

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Trust Issues: The EAP Edition

This week, a colleague shared with me some bizarre experiences he had while negotiating with his company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider for basic data. It reminded me of the EAP role in preventing and managing psychosocial hazards at work. Australia’s psychological health regulations appear to have placed the EAP industry in a state of …

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The evidence for rebuilding or strengthening trust is in

A new Australian consulting company, veyter, recently published the first of its Trust-In-Action discussion papers. It provides an excellent summary of Trust in the popular business management literature, but it feels like it is stating the bleeding obvious. This is not to denigrate the importance of Trust, only to question whether Trust, like Respect, needs … Continue reading “The evidence for rebuilding or strengthening trust is in”

Trust your gut

Recently, a former occupational health and safety (OHS) official from SouthEast Asia told me a story about how his “gut” gave him a feeling about employers and companies that did not have a genuine commitment to improving the safety and health of their workers. OHS needs evidence-based decisions, but after a few years, that evidence …

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OHS lawyer says to trust your gut

Occupational health and safety (OHS) seminars can be a bit hit-and-miss. Sometimes they seem to be a front for promoting a new management program, but every so often, the information offered is perceptive and rewarding. Herbert Smith Freehills partner Steve Bell has been consistently rewarding over many years. No quoting Section 321 of an OHS …

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