Master the frameworks necessary to navigate complex psychosocial hazards, empowering you to manage workplace aggression and support employee mental health with confidence.
Line managers are frequently the first point of contact for complex and sensitive personnel issues that carry significant legal, health, and reputational risks. The course, Supporting Line Managers Through High-Risk HR Cases, is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and frameworks necessary to manage these high-stakes scenarios effectively. By drawing upon the OHS Body of Knowledge and industry-standard guides, this training provides evidence-based strategies to support teams while minimizing risks to health and safety. The curriculum focuses on two critical areas: the management of workplace bullying, aggression, and violence, and the support of employees experiencing mental health challenges.
In the first section of the course, learners will delve into the complexities of psychosocial hazards. It is vital for managers to distinguish between general workplace conflict and the specific hazard of workplace bullying. This course clarifies the legislative definitions of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, and emphasizes the critical distinction between bullying and reasonable management action. You will explore the spectrum of occupational violence, from internal aggression to client-initiated threats, and learn to apply practical risk controls using established models such as the hierarchy of controls and the Haddon matrix. The goal is to move beyond reactive measures and implement systemic prevention strategies that address the root causes of workplace aggression.
The second half of the course aims to demystify mental health issues in a professional setting. Managers are not expected to be therapists, but they must be able to recognize early signs of distress and respond with empathy and procedural correctness. We examine the mental health continuum and specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder to reduce stigma and foster understanding. The content guides you through the practicalities of managing sickness absence, conducting supportive conversations, and facilitating successful return-to-work programs. Special attention is given to crisis response, including how to handle situations involving panic attacks or expressions of suicidal intent, ensuring managers know how to connect employees with professional support systems like Employee Assistance Programs.
By the end of this course, participants will possess the skills to navigate the intersection of Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety. You will learn to:
This course is an essential resource for line managers, HR professionals, and safety officers seeking to build a resilient, legally compliant, and psychologically safe organizational culture.
PeopleShield HR Advisory delivers practical, risk-focused training for HR professionals across Australia and New Zealand. We help teams strengthen performance management, documentation, and early-intervention processes, reduce Fair Work and litigation risk, and manage complex cases involving adverse action, mental injury, and return-to-work pathways.
