DISCUSSION GUIDE
FACTORS FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
Clear Leadership and Expectations
Clear Leadership and Expectations help workers understand what their job is, what the priorities are, and how decisions are made.
What is the Discussion Guide?
This discussion guide is a short, practical tool to help your Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) explore the psychosocial factors related to psychological health and safety in the workplace. There is a guide for each of the 15 health sector factors.
Protective vs. Hazardous
Hazardous
People aren’t sure about their role or responsibilities.
Supervisors do not provide support or feedback.
Decisions aren’t explained, which causes confusion and frustration.
Important changes are communicated late or not at all.
LET’S TALK ABOUT
Clear Leadership and Expectations
When workers have consistent Clear Leadership and Expectations work goes more smoothly, stress is lower, and mistakes are less likely. When it isn’t, people can feel frustrated, anxious or set up to fail. Your JOHSC plays a vital role in noticing what workers may need clarity on.
Scenario
Tom, an emergency department charge nurse, faces a new documentation system rollout with little notice. Halfway through the shift, priorities change, but no one explains why. Different leaders give different instructions about who is responsible for what during the rollout. Tom ends up managing confusion and frustration from staff, while still trying to keep patient care running safely.
Discussion questions about the scenario
- Do people usually know what’s expected of them at work? When things change, are they told right away?
(For example: Are priorities explained at the start of the shift?) - Where do people get confused about their roles or tasks?
(For example: Is it because information comes too late, isn’t clear, or changes depending on who you ask?) - When roles or priorities change, is that information easy to find?
(For example: Is it written down somewhere, like a posted update or quick-reference guide?) - What helps workers deal with changes when they happen?
(For example: Do they get training, clear instructions, or a chance to check in and ask questions?) - What would help us better understand where clarity is breaking down?
(For example: Are worker feedback, observations from inspections or tasks getting missed?)
The Clear Leadership and Expectations discussion guide helps your committee:
What can your JOHSC do to support Clear Leadership and Expectations?
Your committee plays a key role in identifying psychosocial hazards and recommending improvements. Here are some practical ways you can help:
- Observe and listen: Pay attention to handovers and change processes for clarity and consistency.
- Review data: Request training records for new systems.
- Ask questions: Ask for feedback on where guidance or feedback might be missing and how workers are receiving directions and updates.
- Watch for patterns: Are there recurring concerns during inspections (e.g., confusion, delays)?
Make recommendations:
Pick one to track
- Suggest more consistent ways of sharing priorities and instructions.
- Create clear written resources, likes SOPs or quick-reference guides.
- regular check-ins and constructive feedback from leaders.
- Promote short huddles at the start of shifts to clarify priorities, especially during changes.
- Record the recommendation in JOHSC meeting minutes and set a check-back date. (Example: “Recommend implementing shift huddles and SOP updates; review progress in 60 days.”)
