Baffled, But Not Surprised: Psychosocial Hazards and Organisational Change

I recently asked a simple, reasonable question:

“What support is in place for employees leading up to this organisational change?”

The response I received was:

“We’ll consider psychosocial hazards closer to implementation.”

Pause.

Rewind.

Breathe.

I had to ask myself: Are we even talking about the same game?

Because here’s the thing: psychosocial hazards don’t magically appear on the day a change goes live.

They build up over weeks and months as:

• Anxiety about the unknown

• Ambiguity about roles

• Fear of job loss

• Frustration over unclear communication

…all escalate. And by the time “implementation day” arrives, the harm is already well underway.

Why This Response Is a Red Flag

1. Prevention is non-negotiable – WHS legislation requires identification and control of hazards before harm occurs. Waiting until implementation is reactive, not compliant.

2. Systemic risk can’t be postponed – Stress, burnout, disengagement, and decreased performance accumulate over time. Thinking “we’ll deal with it later” is a strategy for failure.

3. Culture of disregard – When leadership communicates that psychosocial hazards are only a future concern, it signals that employee wellbeing is not truly a priority.

I left that conversation baffled, and when asked “Did I answer your question?” I had nothing left to say. We were clearly on two completely different playing fields.

The Bottom Line

If your organisation treats psychosocial risk as an afterthought — something to check off only when it’s convenient — the impact is predictable:

• Increased anxiety and stress in your workforce

• Higher absenteeism and turnover

• Damage to trust and engagement

• Legal and ethical exposure for leadership

Psychosocial hazards during change are not optional. They are known risks that demand early action, not delayed consideration.

Waiting until implementation is a choice. And it’s a choice that sends a very clear message to your people: We don’t see you until the trouble begins.