Ep129 - The Psychosocial Expert with Anna Feringa

In this episode, Tom welcomes Anna Feringa, an expert in the field of psychosocial safety in workplaces. They discuss the importance of human connection in the age of hybrid and remote work, and the necessity of creating psychologically safe environments. Anna shares her extensive experience in occupational behaviour, shedding light on mental health issues in workplaces, trends over the last decade, and recent regulatory changes.They delve into the impact of inadequate work design on mental health, the importance of consulting with staff, and the challenges and benefits of hybrid work. The conversation also covers the evolving state of workplace safety regulations and expectations for the future.~ About Anna Anna is an award-winning International Speaker, Author, Trainer & Workplace Mental Health Consultant. With over 19-years’ consulting experience, Anna partners with organisations to support the workplace to better Prevent, Promote and Respond to Psychosocial Risk. With a human centric and evidence-based approach, Anna works with organisations to understand new regulatory obligations and to build proactive Psychosocial Risk Management systems, ensuring the workplace remains enterprise ready for the future. Anna is the director of Anna Feringa Consulting Pty Ltd. https://annaferinga.com.au/ Connect with Anna: https://au.linkedin.com/in/annaferinga ~ 00:55 Anna's Motivation and Background02:28 Understanding Mental Health Injuries 04:17 Regulatory Changes and Employer Responsibilities 08:21 Consulting and Training in Psychosocial Safety 12:05 Psychosocial Hazards in Different Work Environments 23:15 Hybrid and Remote Work Challenges 31:12 Future Trends in Psychosocial Safety 36:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts