S08 E09: Psychosocial Hazard Salad

Season 08 Episode 10: Darth Vader and the handshake of deathAlan, Trajce, and Sara start this episode in discussion about the social etiquette of handshakes. Alan advocates for the politeness of the handshake in business negotiations, and Trajce explains his handshake aversions, and the origins of a handshake.In this reverie, Trajce reflects on his support band, warming up big names in the 1980’s, like The Village People and Kim Wilde. Sara shares details bout her fun night out listening to Tyne James Organ and Jacob Fitzgerald & the Electric City live at a local venue.On the serious side, Trajce tells a sensation story about a claimant and her award from the Employment Tribunal in the UK, National Health Service. The claimant was awarded money to recover financial loss and punitive costs because of injury, especially to cover her upset feelings, resulting in her mental health disorders. Her grievances included her allegations of the management’s poor grievance processes a lack of support through tailored training or engagement, and she was given little control and agency over her work. Sara interprets the concerns in context to psychosocial risk factors. “The kicker,” explains Trajce, and much to Alan’s surprise, “is the concern about her colleague labelling her ‘Darth Vader’ in a workplace personality typography test.”For more on Psychosocial Risk Management, check out: PRAiSE (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) – Certified Assessor and Manager programs - and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools are helping teams visualise, quantify, qualify, and respond to both contextualised physical and psychosocial workplace risks, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design.

Season 08 Bonus: WhyNOT? A Wisdom Shot: Creating joyful pathsThis wisdom shot challenges workplaces to think about creating joyful paths in their workplace, versus hoping someone falls into a path of joy. It's about using service design combined with human factors approaches to construct manageable and meaningful work while managing psychosocial risks.

Season 08 Episode 09: Psychosocial Hazard SaladIn this episode, the team discusses the challenges in the contemporary workplace of managing the complexity of psychosocial risks that can cause mental health disorders among workers – disorders like anxiety, stress, low mood, and depression. Sara laments the literature and assessment approaches that reveal the “What?” without explaining the “SO What?” and “NOW What?” Alan loves that level of thinking, acknowledging that without this level of guidance, businesses can spin their wheels, directionless. Sara explains a research paper on necessary condition analysis describing four factors that, in their absence, preclude a diagnosis of depression, offering a unique perspective in occupational health diagnostics. Trajce explains the importance of language in legal dictums, weaving in his concerns about risk management legislative language, such as “as low are reasonability possible,” versus “so far as is reasonably practicable.” He’s passionate about this and wrote about this recently under the framework of the mining industry, in his article, “Mining Work Health, Safety Laws and Serious Industrial Crimes in Australia: Down the Shaft of Jurisdictional Inconsistency.”Sara introduces the launch of PRAiSETM (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) – Certified Assessor and Manager programs - and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools are helping teams visualise, quantify, qualify, and respond to both physical and psychosocial risks in context, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design.

Season 08 Episode 08: Levellin’ Up: Health Screening vs Human Rights“It is my human right to grab a meat pie from the local pie cart,” Trajce defends his actions. “Everyone is stressed, so what is your stress level?” enquires Alan, in his effort to empathise and disarm a respondent. “What’s your level, not your age, but your level?” asks Sara, “We’re levelling up – that’s empowering!”This episode extends discussion on the events surrounding S08 E02: Christmas Day Code Blue. In this episode, the WhyWork crew dig into the uncomfortable truth that many wellness initiatives are a shiny distraction from the core work-related manifestations of harm. Recognising that work is linked to wellbeing, the legal pundits, Trajce and Alan, dig into regulatory materials to determine if the legislation reference the term “wellbeing” as a workplace obligation.The team debate obligations and terminology - health, welfare, wellness, wellbeing, and wholeness - and how the meaning of these terms might alter depending on each person. Trajce questions the logic of yoga rooms in toxic work environments. Alan reminds us that if work is designed poorly, no fruit bowl or mindfulness session will make up for it.Together, the team explores how psychosocial hazards, like role conflict, chronic heavy workloads, and low support, erode wellbeing. They query design strategies to improve these conditions. Spoiler alert: it starts with good work design and ends with authentic leadership.Sara espouses the benefits of sense-making in organisational psychosocial risk management sharing details about her team’s new online material, workshop training, and collaborative development of a software feature in digital risk management software-as-a-service: Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers (PRAiSE) with both the PRAiSE Certified Assessor and PRAiSE Certified Manager program, complementing the Psychosocial Risk Analyser (PRA) feature in ErgoAnalyst.This one’s for the safety leaders, HR teams, and execs who want to move beyond platitudes and into prevention and health promotion.

Season 08 Episode 07: Danger, Design, and Digital RealitiesWARNING: This episode discusses injuries caused by recreational fixed plan – we advise listener discretion.“How do you design better work when the risks are invisible, intangible, or hard to map?" asks Trajce. In this forward-thinking episode, the WhyWork crew explores how Shared Virtual Presence (SVP) is transforming the way organisations approach risk, work design, and collaboration.Trajce shares his perspective on the value of SVP in creating shared language and visible systems thinking, and Alan digs into how digitised assessments are finally bringing mental health into mainstream safety design. Alan and Trajce dig around to see how legislators included concepts of “workplace wellbeing” in their materials. Conversely, Sara challenges Trajce to think about design experts who can think like a criminal to combat crime in work and product design, “Boys will be boys,” says Trajce, which is a statement that Sara challenges.Continuing the theme on recreation and risk, the team recall more related cases that exemplify foreseeability challenges.Sara introduces the launch of PRAiSE (Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Integrated Solutions for Employers) and PRA, the new task-based Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature within the ErgoAnalyst software platform. These tools are helping teams visualise, quantify, and respond to both physical and psychosocial risks in context, merging technical rigour with empathy-driven co-design (Digital Solutions Development through ViVID Design Labs).This episode is for leaders, designers, and problem-solvers looking to embed real change - digitally, visually, and collaboratively.Other episodes addressing theme park and recreation-as-work:S03 E05: Whakaari – The Smouldering DragonS03 E06: Cha-Cha-Chat Thrill RidesS03 E07: Intentional Design & Submersibles

Season 08 Episode 06: Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild Theme Park Rides: When Fun turns FatalWARNING: This episode discusses a serious injury to a child – we advise listener discretion.“Theme parks are workplaces where serious harm could eventuate,” bemoans Trajce.In this gripping episode, the WhyWork crew dive into the devastating case of a child who suffered a traumatic scalping injury while on a Wile E. Coyote-themed amusement rideAlan walks us through the case, unpacking the sequence of mechanical and human errors. Trajce brings his classic bluntness and empathy, highlighting how poor design choices - literal holes in theme ride ceilings and safety protocols - lead to traumatic circumstances in people’s lives and, in this case, affects a child. The team pulls the lens back to explore broader lessons on accountability, risk design, and the ethics of foreseeability."A kid went to have fun and came back scalped. That’s not a freak accident—that’s a system failure," says Trajce. "We can’t keep blaming workers or bad luck when the problem is clearly baked into the design," argues Sara.Alan Explains, "The head went through a hole in the ride’s casing - something that never should have been possible. Once we traced what happened, the design gaps were obvious. This case reveals chain of small, overlooked decisions that created a massive risk."This episode is a tough listen, but a vital one. Through humour, honesty, and some hard truths, the podcast team asks: What kind of systems do we really want to build for our kids, our teams, and our communities? “What will be enduring and sustainable?” asks Sara.Alan, Trajce, and Sara reflect on some of their favourite Looney Tunes characters - Yosemite Sam, the rootin’ tootin’ red-moustached cowboy; Marvin the Martian, Sylvester (Sufferin’ succotash) – who was yours?Other episodes addressing theme park and recreation-as-work:S03 E05: Whakaari – The Smouldering DragonS03 E06: Cha-Cha-Chat Thrill RidesS03 E07: Intentional Design & Submersibles

Season 08 Episode 05: Is it a crime? The syrupy sweetness of criminal recovery, comebacks, and swearing in the workplaceWARNING: This episode discusses human rights breaches - we advise listener discretion.Does a criminal record mean a life sentence of unemployment? This episode dives into how past convictions keep people locked out of work. Alan reflects, “Inclusive hiring isn’t charity. It’s good business sense. We should not define skills and character by a past conviction.” Alan recounts a case of a government employee hampered by a past criminal investigation. Listen in to learn about the results of this worker’s subsequent appeal to the Human Rights Commission. Trajce offers, “When we shut people out because of old mistakes, we create cycles of disadvantage that hurt everyone—individuals, families, and communities.”Alan also shares a story about the punitive treatment of a manager whose swearing at a barista prompted a workplace review. “Someone needed their caffeine,” remarks Sara. The workplace investigated reproachable behaviours occurring outside of the principal place of work. The retelling of this story triggers bloopers and bleepers in this episode! For more on swearing at work, check out AIHS story on recent rulings by the Fair Work Commission on swearing in the workplace.Listen to this episode as the podcasters untangle the legal, social, and human sides of criminal records and employment. Find out how some employers are leading with fairness in and out of the workplace, and why workplaces that give second chances often discover untapped loyalty and talent.To learn more about Psychosocial Risk Management and Integrated Solutions for Employers (PRAiSE), check out ViVID Design Labs - Designs: https://www.vividdesignlabs.com.au/vivid-designs/

Season 08 Episode 04: Nipple Tweaks & Bottom Taps: The border between play and predatory assaultWARNING: This episode includes discussion on sexual harassment - we advise listener discretion.Ever wondered when ‘just joking’ becomes sexual harassment? In this eye-opening episode, we unpack real stories of workplace encounters that cross the line—like unwanted bottom taps or nipple tweaks (Are these ever really okay?!) . Alan, Trajce, and Sara discuss why dismissing these actions as both banter and play lets disrespect thrive. Sara says, “We need to normalise calling out these moments, not laugh them off.” Trajce adds, “People think it’s harmless fun until someone finally speaks up—or leaves the job. Then everyone asks, ‘How did we miss the signs?’”The podcasters break down how micro-assaults affect safety, culture, and performance, while exploring what leaders and colleagues can do when playful turns predatory. Join us as we unpack why micro-assaults like these matter, what the law says about sexual harassment, and how organisations can build cultures that stop them before they start. Alan reflects: “These aren’t grey areas. When someone’s uncomfortable, that’s the line. If you’re not sure, ask—or just don’t do it.”Expect honest chat, expert insights, and a few laughs as we explore the sticky realities of personal space and respect at work.To learn more about Psychosocial Risk Management and Integrated Solutions for Employers (PRAiSE), check out ViVID Design Labs - Designs: https://www.vividdesignlabs.com.au/vivid-designs/

Season 08 Episode 03: Too much to carry: The case that alters the landscape of mining prosecutionsWARNING: In this episode, the podcasters discuss extreme mental health duress - we advise listener discretion.Noone died. But two workers were emotionally broken by the weight of their jobs – this time, the system noticed.In this episode of WhyWork, we explore a landmark $1.2M enforceable undertaking in mining. Not for a collision, Not for a fire. Not for an explosion. And not for a fatality, but for two finance staff affected by their crushing workloads, blurred roles, and the organisational injustice that led to a breach of duty. The WhyWork team discuss a landmark regulatory prosecution in the mining sector for psychosocial harm where no physical injury or fatality occurred - two finance professionals were exposed to serious breaches in duty of care under Section 19 in Australian workplace health and safety law.“No hazard tape, no broken bones – just people who were no longer coping,” reflects Sara. “This is section 19 – it matters,” Trajce concurs. This is the case that relates mental health harm owing to serious workplace responsibility. “This is a moment of accountability in an industry built on grit,” Alan agrees. It is a reminder that collapse isn’t always accompanied with sirens – it is sometimes like the management of an overflowing, ‘chokka’ inbox at midnight.Sara urges Trajce and Alan to consider the logic in making sense of ‘psychosocial hazard salad.’ She uses the ‘BLT sandwich’ analogy of Professor Jan Dul and his recent article on the four factors presenting necessary conditions of developing depression: baseline depressive symptoms, self-criticism, rumination, and stressful events.For more on psychosocial risk management, check out the new Psychosocial Risk Analyser feature - powered by ViVA health at work through a ViVID Design Labs collaboration - in ErgoAnalyst (v3.0). Additionally, ViVA health at work offer the PRAiSE - Psychosocial Risk Analyser and Integrated Solutions for Employers - program.

Season 08 Trailer 06: Profiling workers: Who is most at risk? Season 08 probes these contemporary work design strategies - from construction workers bitten by a spider while they visit the loo to healthcare professionals prone to work stressors and cardiovascular events.