A maturity matrix for organisations’ psychosocial safety climate
The project develops a maturity matrix for Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC) to help organizations identify and prevent risks related to mental ill-health and thereby reduce sickness absence. Through a literature review and an expert study, a practical tool is created that describes different risk levels, takes gender differences into account, and provides guidance for improvement efforts.
Start
2026-03-01
Planned completion
2028-03-02
Main financing
Co-financing
Collaboration partners
Research area
Project manager at MDU
External project members
Professor Tim Bentley (Edith Cowan University)
Associate Professor Kate Blackwood (Edith Cowan University)
Dr Azadeh Shafaei Darastani (Edith Cowan University)
Heidi Vivian (Edith Cowan University)
Professor David Tappin (Massey University)
Gemma David (UniSA)
Dr Rachael Potter (UniSA)
Laureate Professor Maureen Dollard (UniSA)
Psychological ill-health and musculoskeletal problems are the most common causes of long-term sickness absence among private-sector employees, and research highlights the importance of the organisational work environment—especially the Psychosocial Safety Climate (PSC). PSC reflects how strongly senior management prioritises psychological health, which shapes employees’ exposure to risks that may contribute to mental strain and eventual sick leave. Low PSC consistently predicts poorer well-being and a higher likelihood of stress-related absence.
This project aims to develop a PSC maturity matrix that can help organisations understand how different levels of PSC relate to risks for mental ill-health and sickness absence. The matrix will be informed by a systematic literature review and a Delphi-based expert study involving researchers and practitioners from Sweden and Australia. Together, these sources will identify what characterises work groups at various risk levels, including how gender differences may influence experiences of psychosocial hazards.
The expected outcome is a user-friendly tool that makes PSC visible in practice, supporting workplaces in assessing current risks, planning interventions, and tracking improvements over time. By integrating scientific evidence with expert insight, the matrix will not only describe developmental stages but also point to potential strategies for strengthening PSC. Ultimately, it is intended to help reduce sickness absence, improve employee well-being, and promote healthier and more sustainable work environments.
Project objective
The expected outcome is a user-friendly tool that makes PSC visible in practice and supports workplaces in assessing risks, planning interventions, and monitoring progress over time.
