Conducting Gap Analysis for Psychological Health and Safety Initiatives

Background Information

"Conducting the gap analysis was essential to moving the initiative forward. What we discovered in our gap analysis process was that we were really not far off in terms of addressing PH&S in the workplace. The analysis helped to highlight some of the best ways to interrelate the two or three initiatives related to our Program.  I often share with companies that they are not as far off as they think in terms of introducing PH&S into their organization." Senior Consultant, Workplace Health for a major Canadian telecommunications company's mental health initiatives.

STEP 1:  Background Information

The purpose of this assignment is to provide practical experience in conducting a gap analysis in relation to psychological health and safety.

You will choose an organization (typically one you work with), to assess for PH&S needs and then you will suggest ONE initiative that can help to address PH&S needs you identify. Begin by telling me a bit about the organization you are assessing.

Q. Describe in a paragraph the organization you are choosing to assess in a paragraph or two (1/2 page or so).  

STEP 2:  Assessment of PH&S in Your Workplace

The first central step in implementing psychological health and safety initiatives into your workplace is to understand where your organization is currently at with regards to PH&S. Assessing the current status of your organization is the first step of your assignment.  The assessment process should assist you in understanding the areas of highest risk within your organization.

The following are options that can be used to conduct the assessment.  Choose only ONE Assessment Method to complete.

1. Survey - Initial Scan - 5 people (Guarding Minds at Work)
2. Organizational Review - 2 Psychosocial Factors (Guarding Minds at Work or other)

Once your assessment has been completed please analyze the results of the assessment as described in step 2. Tell me what you found and what it means in terms of the PH&S concepts we have learned in class.

Q. Describe in 1/2 to 1 page the assessment results. The analysis should list the assessment method used, summarize the overall findings from the assessments and detail the areas of greatest risk within your organization.

STEP 3:  Initiative (Best Practice) for Your Organization

Based on the risks highlighted by the assessment process, choose one initiative that you feel would be useful to bring forth to your organization. Summarize this initiative and provide rationale for why you feel this initiative will properly address the risk factors identified. Detail how this action relates to some of the best practices presented within the content of this course.

Provide a summary describing your chosen initiative, providing rationale for why this initiative addresses the risk factors identified, and detailing best practices relating to the initiative. Be sure you clearly identify exactly what your initiative is. This section should also be in paragraph form and be approximately 1/2 page long. 

Conclusion
To conclude your assignment, briefly summarize the key information you would bring to senior leaders to gather support for your initiatives. This section should describe the key information that would be presented to senior leaders to gain support for this initiative. This should be approximately 1/2 page long and can include bullet points if you choose.