My Job

The bad news is that for many Americans their job is a major source of stress for them. The good news is that employers and the employee can make their workplace less stressful and more psychologically healthy.

In the late nineties, the American Psychological Association began giving an award to workplaces that were “psychologically healthy.” Workplaces could apply for the award and be evaluated on five areas: employee involvement, work/life balance, employee growth and development, health and safety, and employee recognition. Since the program began over six hundred awards have been given by the American Psychological Association and state psychological associations. The award has shown a light on organizations’ good practices.

Today, most state and provincial psychological associations in the United States and Canada participate in the awards program. The awards continue to recognize organizations that commit to programs and policies that foster employee well-being while enhancing organizational performance.

Why am I writing about this in a blog that focuses on resilience? Because I believe that keeping in mind and practicing the skills and the attitudes of resilience can help employers and employees create psychologically healthy workplaces. In the next few months I’m going to focus on the five areas on which organizations are evaluated and how the skills and attitudes of resilience can be helpful in dealing with the challenges that employers may face in creating work/life balance, recognizing their employees,creating healthy and safe workplaces,involving their employees in decision making and fostering their growth and development.

For more information about the Psychologically Healthy Workplace awards, contact the American Psychological Association at apaexcellence.org  or contact your state psychological association.