Kevin Conlon, Chief Executive at KINNECT, explains how the new online Psychological Risk Screen will help clients to improve the way they manage psychological wellbeing in the workplace.
In the uncertain times we find ourselves in, looking after the mental health and wellbeing of our workforces has never been more crucial. 1 in 5 Australians will experience mental illness this year* which is why at KINNECT, we have been working hard to help our clients combat this growing issue.
We know from our own experience at KINNECT, that there is an increasing number of workers compensation claims with psychological components. And we also know that these claims are often more complex and harder to deal with compared with physical injuries.
At KINNECT, we are known for embracing a challenge. And finding new ways to tackle this growing issue has been firmly on our minds. And that is where the idea behind KINNECT’s new Psychological RISc Screen has come from.
Screening for Psychological Risks
The RISc (Resilience and Integrity Scale) Screen is our new online screening tool. We have worked in consultation with a leading Australian Clinical Psychologist and Psychiatrist to develop it. It will be used in two ways; as a valuable addition in pre-employment screening, or to support existing employees.
How does it work?
Essentially, the Psychological RISc Screen is a 60 question, self-reported, trait-based measure of psychological fitness for the workplace.
Importantly, it is confidential and easy to administer. The questionnaire itself can be completed online via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Taking only 15 minutes to complete, a pre-determined algorithm evaluates the individual’s responses against a formalised risk matrix, determining their overall psychological risk. The risk score is summarised on a report with more details on the potential psychological risks that have been found.
Measuring Psychological Fitness for Work
The tool evaluates four key psychological areas and provides organisations with clear recommendations about the candidate’s or employee’s psychological risk. These four traits are:
Screening Candidates for Psychological Risks in Pre-Employment Assessments
Matching the right employee with the role has always been important and it isn’t always easy.
When considering an individual’s suitability for a proposed position, it is essential to understand the best psychological traits required for the role. For example, Community Care workers should show good personal resilience, and high integrity traits given their responsibilities for the care of others, including the most vulnerable in our society. Low sociopathy is essential for more nurturing and caring roles and given the stressors associated with care work, and lower neuroticism would also be an advantage.
Similarly, Emergency Support Services roles require an elevated level of resilience due to their exposure to sensitive situations. They must show a high level of integrity as a trusted member of the community. They need to be social and calm headed, however, could display some characteristics of sociopathy.
“Employees with certain psychological traits that are right for the role will have more meaningful employment and are often at a lower risk of adverse psychological injuries. The RISc screen will arm recruiters and hiring managers with essential useful information to match people to the right job role.”
Supporting existing employees that may be more vulnerable to mental illness
Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is so important and if 2020 has taught us anything it is that we all need to take it more seriously.
The Psychological RISc Screen will help organisations to listen and understand the employees that may be more vulnerable to mental illness.
Responding effectively and putting the right support in place at the right time can potentially prevent a psychological injury from happening in the first place.
We passionately believe KINNECT’s Psychological RISc Screen will be a powerful tool for our clients that want to go even further to support the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce.
Find out more:
To find out more about how KINNECT’s Psychological RISc Screen can work for you, simply visit our website or contact us on 1300 546 632.
*Australian Government (July 2020): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-illness
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