by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Workplace Education
International Asperger’s Day aims to highlight the significance of Asperger Syndrome for both society and individuals and also illustrates one of the many challenges to the newcomer trying to understand the autism spectrum.
Asperger’s Syndrome was the name given to a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/aspergers-syndrome (2020).
Symptoms of Aspergers Syndrome:
According to Health Direct (2020), people with this diagnosis often have average or above average intelligence, and can be quite creative, but they often find life hard. In particular, they find it hard to communicate and interact with other people.
For example, somebody with Aspergers Syndrome may:
- not understand social rules or cues;
- speak in an unusual way, such as by using formal language, being too; loud or using a monotone voice;
- find it hard to make friends;
- find it hard to work out what others might be thinking;
- have a rigid routine or repeat certain behaviours;
- focus intense interest on particular topics and become bored when other topics are discussed;
- are sensitive to bright light or loud sounds;
These difficulties can lead to anxiety, confusion and frustration for the person, and sometimes for their family and friends.
Aspergers Syndrome is only diagnosed by a specialist.
If you know of somebody living with Asperger’s Syndrome in the workplace, be kind and patient. With support and encouragement, people with Asperger’s Syndrome can often lead a full and independent life. According to Health Direct (2020), sometimes people in the workplace with Aspergers Syndrome may at times need time alone or a chance to get some exercise (like a walk around the block). Breathing techniques and relaxing music may also be helpful.
Amaze.org.au provide some helpful hints when working with someone with Asperger’s Syndrome:
- Keep instructions brief and precise;
- Give the person time to process the instruction;
- If practical, make use of visual cues and procedures;
- Break work into smaller steps;
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
What is epilepsy?
According to Epilepsy Action Australia (2021), epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has a tendency to have recurrent seizures.
Epilepsy in the workplace:
Many people with epilepsy can be gainfully employed, while others find it difficult to get a job.
Epilepsy is often well controlled, however if it is not controlled, then finding a job may be difficult particularly if there are safety issues concerned.
Disclosing to your Employer:
Legally in Australia, you are under no obligation to disclose your condition unless it affects your ability to meet the inherent requirements of your job. The worry about discrimination at work is a genuine concern when disclosing epilepsy to an employer.
If you decide to, you should discuss with your employer any requirements you need for the job, the workplace environment (for safety issues), whether you work alone or in a group and whether you would need any specific accommodations made for your epilepsy.
For an employer to be able to fulfill their obligations under the WH&S Act, they need to be aware of any condition that may require them to change working practices or environment to improve safety. Disclosing can also allow the employer to make reasonable adjustments if you need any.
Maintaining Employment
According to Epilepsy Action Australia (2021), if seizures are likely to hinder your performance at work, an employer is expected where possible to make reasonable adjustments to the workplace. This can include things like changing work hours or changing your role within the organisation until your seizures are controlled.
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Health Assessments, Workplace Education
According to the National Institute of Deafness (2017), Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but it can also sound like roaring, clicking, hissing or buzzing. Roughly 10% of the adult population has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the last year.
According to NID (2017) people who work in noisy environments—such as factory or construction workers, road crews, or even musicians—can develop tinnitus over time…This is called noise-induced hearing loss.
What causes tinnitus?
Tinnitus is a symptom when something is wrong in the auditory system, which includes the ear, auditory nerve and parts of the brain that process sound (NID, 2017). Some examples that may cause tinnitus include:
- Earwax blocking the ear canal;
- Noise-induced hearing loss;
- Hormonal changes in women;
- Thyroid abnormalities;
- More health conditions diagnosed by your GP;
Workplace Health and Safety Victoria offer hearing testing – this is generally used as a pre-employment check or a workplace yearly health check up as a workplace benefit. This entails employees sitting in a booth, putting on earmuffs and performing a test, where we record results and handover to a GP, who will discuss further with the employee.
If you experience tinnitus, always visit your GP where further assessments can take place.
If an employee is exposed to loud noises at work, the correct hearing protection needs to be supplied and workplaces need to train their employees when and how to correctly use this equipment – https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/hearing-protection
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Uncategorised
“Alcohol and drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity.” – Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2017)
Statistics show that alcohol and drug users impact their workplaces by:
- Being far less productive;
- Using three times as many sick days;
- Being more likely to injure themselves or a colleague;
- Potentially putting strain on relationships;
‘2.5 million days are lost annually due to drinking and drug use, at a cost of more than $680 million’ – Alcohol & Drug Foundation (2017).
In addition, to deaths and accidents, absenteeism and loss of production, other problems that alcohol and drug abuse can cause on the job include (Very Well Mind, 2020):
- Tardiness/sleeping on the job;
- Hangover or withdrawalaffecting job performance;
- Poor decision making;
- Loss of efficiency;
- Theft;
- Decreased morale of co-workers;
- Increased likelihood of strained relationships;
- Decreased attention and concentration;
- Illegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employees;
- Higher turnover;
Many workplaces are required to complete routine random drug and alcohol testing when operating heavy machinery, other employers like to keep their workplace safe or have a problem they would like to address.
Our accredited testers offer onsite drug & alcohol testing, following your policy. We are also available for guidance on how to address a situation.
If you would like to book in your drug and alcohol testing at your workplace, please email [email protected] or call 0456 387 569.
by Grace | Jan 31, 2022 | Uncategorised
‘Kindness is Catching’ – Feel Good Feb, 2021.
Encourage your workplace to participate in Feel Good February this year. Lift the vibe within your workplace by performing at least one random act of kindness each day.
Feel Good Feb (2020) states that extensive research shows that ‘giving out good’ not only benefits the receiver, but also increases the happiness of the giver!
You will FEEL GOOD, we promise!