1 Communication in organisations: Best practice case studies and recommendations to improve
engagement and performance
Louise Parkes, Mirjana Sandoval, Peter Langford, Emma Wienker, Charlie Zhang & Frank Basile (Voice Project)
Sunday 26 June 2011 – 11am (Great Hall 4)
Few work practices have more impact on employee engagement and organisational performance than human connectivity and communication. This forum focuses on Langford’s empirically derived, higher order system of work practices labelled Participation. These practices all contribute to giving staff a sense of connection, involvement, belonging, and recognition, to build a ‘high-involvement’
organisation. The forum presents four of these practices that facilitate communication and connection at organisational, work group and interpersonal levels: 1) how to build staff trust in senior management through better communication, 2) how to involve staff in organisational decision-making, 3) how to break down silos and build cooperation between work groups within organisations, and 4) how to communicate individual performance feedback in a way that is perceived as fair and results in
improvement. Grounded in evidence-based research and experience, each presentation includes case studies, video interviews, and practical recommendations. Discussion is invited and facilitated to share challenges and successes in improving vertical, horizontal, inter-group and inter-personal
1 Organisational-level interventions for the prevention of psychological injuries
William (Bill) Pappas, Peter Cotton (Insight SRC), Rhonda Brand (Xchanging), Jennifer Loh (University of New England) & Kathryn Page (Monash University)
Friday 24 June 2011 – 2.30pm (Great Hall)
This practice-oriented forum examines issues related to organisational interventions for preventing psychological injuries, distress, stress and associated outcomes. The human and financial costs of psychological injury in the workplace highlight the importance of developing such programs and identifying factors promoting successful outcomes. The forum begins with a review of organisational health improvement programs designed to reduce incidence of psychological injury. Factors important in successful intervention programs and factors associated with no significant improvement are
identified. Then, three papers describe approaches to organisational interventions to reduce
psychological injury or promote wellness. First, the Stress Prevention Pilot Program, which supported development of an organisational strategy to prevent workplace stress, is described. This project, which received a 2010 WorkSafe Victoria Award for the best Occupational Health and Safety Solution in Public Sector and Community Services organisation, was designed to foster a workplace culture based on consultation and action. The next paper examines specific factors predicting psychological distress and somatic symptoms in mental health service employees, specifically the impact of primary aggression training and perceived social support as possible buffers of perceived workplace-related aggression. Finally, the Working for Wellness program, (based on a positive psychology framework) supported employees to find and engage in activities to fulfill their psychological needs. The program, evaluated through a randomized control trial, is discussed.
1 Riding the turbulence of economic and work pressures to achieve success: Individual and
organisational perspectives on resilience
Fernanda Afonso (College of Organisational Psychologists), Libby Walford (College of Organisational Psychologists), Vanessa Franzen (College of Organisational Psychologists), Gareth Bennett (Freehills) & Steven Kiely (College of Organisational Psychologists)
Friday 24 June 2011 – 2.30pm (Mezzanine M2)
The presentation will be given by an expert panel of Organisational Psychologists and practicing consultants who will present the leading research, approaches and application of organisation and individual resilience; providing case studies and the opportunity for the audience to ask questions. In this presentation, Libby will introduce Organisational Resilience, including some of the latest research, before telling the ‘Deloitte Story’ to demonstrate how organisational resilience differentiated Deloitte from the other ‘Big 4’ and organisations during the GFC. The Deloitte story is one of true organisational resilience – facing the challenges head on and overcoming the white-water that was the GFC. Vanessa will then talk about how leaders can build their resilience muscle to better navigate their way and rise to the top irrespective of environmental conditions. She will also talk about how to lead others through tough times and better manage uncertainty. Gareth will share why five major law firms collaborated to create Resilience@Law. They, in conjunction with the College of Law, set out to make a lasting
contribution to raising the levels of awareness, understanding and resilience by the development and implementation of a learning approach for people at each stage of their legal careers – from graduates to senior practitioners. Steve will then discuss why business men and women should "Become a Corporate Athlete". This presentation will provide a new and fresh multidimensional approach into what it takes to be mentally tough in today's business world.
1 The future of organisational psychology: International perspectives
Peter Macqueen (APS College of Organisational Psychologists), John O'Gorman (Griffith University) & Ann Marie Ryan (Michigan State University)
Friday 24 June 2011 – 10.30am (Mezzanine M2)
Recent articles in Industrial and Organisational Psychology: Perspectives on Science and Practice (SIOP) and The Psychologist (BPS) have highlighted concerns, globally, of where organisational psychology is headed as a viable and distinctive profession. Does the inclusion of organisational psychology within the ‘health template’ in Australia (2010) and the UK (2009), coupled with competition from other disciplines, pose significant challenges for us? If so, how should be we go about addressing these challenges?
Questions can be emailed prior to : [email protected]
1 The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) in Australia: Latest developments
Arthur Crook (APS College of Organisational Psychologists) Other presenters to be confirmed
Saturday 25 June 2011 – 4.30pm (Mezzanine M2)
This will be an informative and interactive presentation, with questions and comments encouraged. The session will cover strategic as well as practical matters relevant to all Australian organisational
psychologists.
Questions can be emailed prior to : [email protected]
1 Transforming data into intelligence: Giving evidence a voice
Nicole Barton, K. Birrer, A. Sturrock & D. Thorp (Department of Defence) Saturday 25 June 2011 – 10.30am (Mezzanine M5&6)
There is often a wealth of workforce data available in organisations to assist decision-makers. Using examples of work from the Department of Defence’s Directorate of Workforce Intelligence this forum will demonstrate how the complexities of dealing with a large and diverse workforce are overcome. Recruiting, developing and retaining the Defence workforce is too important to be left to chance. Defence uses a range of regularly refreshed, quantitative and qualitative HR metrics to provide assurance that the Defence workforce is sufficient, able, ready and sustainable. With this knowledge potential workforce risks can be identified, causes analysed and possible solutions assessed. Audience members will be afforded the opportunity to reflect on their own practices and to share their
experiences in dealing with workforce data and research, HR metrics, recruitment and engagement strategies and how to ensure the evidence has a voice in decision-making.
