Hiring Your Next Team Member? Don’t Overlook Your Psychosocial Risk Obligations

Published On: September 11, 2026Categories: Employees

I know a lot of my clients use the term “psychosocial” in their own practice with participants but today I’m referring to your team of employees, and the work employees do within any organisation in Australia, whatever the industry.

When you hire an employee, your focus is usually on onboarding, training, and getting them up to speed. However, under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) regulations, taking on staff also brings a primary duty of care that extends beyond physical safety to include psychosocial risks.

What Are Psychosocial Risks?

Psychosocial hazards are aspects of work design, management, or workplace interactions that can cause psychological harm. Common hazards include:

  • Excessive job demands or sustained high workloads. Especially in complex community service roles like many of my clients- hello burnout!
  • Low role clarity or conflicting expectations.
  • Inadequate support during peak periods or business changes.
  • Workplace interpersonal conflict or bullying.

While large corporations have dedicated HR teams to manage compliance, many small business owners are entirely unaware these legal duties apply to them as well. Failing to identify and mitigate these risks can lead to the burnout, decreased productivity, and potential compliance issues.

A Practical Solution for Small Businesses

Managing workplace mental health obligations doesn’t have to mean hiring expensive consultants or navigating endless paperwork. As this is a particular concern for so many of Rely’s clients who are smaller employers, I have a recommendation for you.

To help small employers meet their WHS duties easily, Sanomic offers a free psychosocial risk management tool designed specifically for small businesses. It guides you through a straightforward assessment process and helps you build a practical, tailored risk management plan in just a few steps.

Whether you are hiring your first employee or expanding a growing team, taking a proactive approach to mental health and WHS compliance builds a safer, more productive workplace. Check it out and feel free to discuss with Lyndsey too if you want to know more.

 

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