Latest / Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor / What is workplace critical incident management?

Transcript

What is workplace critical incident management? · Wellbeing Solutions - Ask A Counsellor

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: What is workplace critical incident management?
• 0:03
  SPEAKER_00: Workplace critical incident management is the organised response an employer puts in place when a serious or potentially traumatic event affects employees or the organisation.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: A critical incident might include a serious accident or injury, sudden death, violence or assault, a major security incident, or another unexpected event that significantly affects people's safety or well-being.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: For managers, there are several clear priorities.
• 0:29
  SPEAKER_00: First, secure immediate safety.
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: If there is an ongoing risk to life or serious harm, follow emergency procedures and contact the emergency services where necessary.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: Don't put yourself or employees at additional risk by attempting to manage a dangerous situation beyond your role or training.
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_00: Second, activate your organisation's critical incident procedures.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: Notify the appropriate senior manager, HR, security, health and safety, or safeguarding lead depending on the incident.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: Managers shouldn't try to coordinate a serious incident alone.
• 1:02
  SPEAKER_00: Third, communicate clearly.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: Give employees factual information about what they need to know, what they should do next, and where they can access support.
• 1:11
  SPEAKER_00: Avoid speculation, rumours and unnecessary details and protect the privacy of the people involved.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: Fourth, identify immediate employee needs.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: Some people may need medical attention, practical assistance, contact with family or simply somewhere quieter and safer to sit.
• 1:28
  SPEAKER_00: People can respond very differently to the same incident, so avoid assuming that someone who appears calm is unaffected or that somebody who is visibly distressed or necessarily developed longer-term difficulties.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: Fifth, connect people with appropriate support.
• 1:44
  SPEAKER_00: Managers aren't expected to provide counselling or trauma therapy.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: Your role is to listen, respond compassionately, and signpost employees to appropriate services such as employee assistance programme, occupational health or specialist professional support.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: Avoid pressurising employees to describe the event in detail or participate in conversations about it before they're ready.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: 6.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: Consider temporary workplace adjustments.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: Depending on the circumstances, an employee may need time away, altered duties, reduced workload, or additional flexibility.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: Work with the appropriate people in your organisation to decide what is reasonable and supportive.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: Finally, follow up.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_00: Check in with affected employees in the days and weeks afterwards.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: Remind them where support is available and remain alert to significant or persistent difficulties with sleep, concentration, anxiety, mood, or everyday functioning.
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: Where there is a safeguarding concern, follow your organisation's safeguarding procedures and report the concern through the appropriate route.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: For managers, the aim isn't to have all the answers, it is to establish safety, activate the right procedures, communicate clearly, connect people with appropriate support, and continue checking in after the immediate crisis has passed.