Assignment #2

Quote from a Senior Consultant developing mental health initiatives

for a major Canadian telecommunications company:

"Conducting the gap analysis was essential to moving the initiative forward. What we
discovered in our gap analysis process was that we were really not far off in terms of
addressing PH&S in the workplace. The analysis helped to highlight some of the best
ways to interrelate the two or three initiatives related to our Program. I often share
with companies that they are not as far off as they think in terms of introducing PH&S
into their organization."

Directions:

This assignment should be typed on the provided 4151 Assignment Outline

Worksheet and uploaded using the Assignments link above in either a MS Word or
PDF format.

The following directions provide additional information, but the overall outline is
detailed in the provided 4151 Assignment Outline Worksheet and this is where you will
put in your information.

An assessment rubric can be downloaded here (opens in new window). It is

recommended that you review the rubric prior to completing the assignment so you will
know what is expected.

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to provide practical experience in conducting a gap

analysis in relation to psychological health and safety. Throughout the course, extensive
background information has been provided in terms of the process of conducting a gap
analysis. You will choose an organization (typically one you work with), to assess for
PH&S needs and then you will suggest ONE initiative that can help to address PH&S
needs you identify.

1. Describe the Organization You Are Choosing to Assess.

On the 4151 Assignment Outline Worksheet, provide approximately ½ a page

description of the company you are conducting the gap analysis on. Choose the
information that you feel is necessary (for example: main purpose of the company,
approximate number of employees, recent changes, overall corporate or safety culture,
etc.)

First Step: Assessment of PH&S in Your Workplace

A central part of implementing initiatives into your workplace is to understand where
your organization is currently at with regards to PH&S. Assessing the current status of
your organization is the first step of your assignment. The assessment process should
assist you in understanding the areas of highest risk within your organization. The
following are options that can be used to conduct the assessment. You may choose to
do multiple forms of assessment and include informal interviews as well, but you are
required to choose only ONE of these two options. In general, if you want a hands-
on approach you may wish to choose the surveys. These allow you to interact with co-
workers and discuss the project. If you want a hands-off approach (for example, if this
is a past employer or one you don’t want to have aware of the project) you will most
likely want to choose the organizational reviews.

• Option#1: Survey - Initial Scan - 5 people for a total of 5 surveys given out and
completed ( Guarding Minds at Work or other) (*Note to writer: Just make up
the surveys if you choose this option*)
• Option #2: Organizational Review - 2 Psychosocial Factors (Guarding Minds at
Work found on their website under resources.
(https://www.guardingmindsatwork.ca/resources)
• There are 13 Psychosocial factors but you will only be choosing the two you feel
best apply to complete for this assignment.

Once your assessment has been completed please analyze the results of the
assessment as described in step 2. This will be done within the 4151 Assignment
Outline Worksheet.

2. Describe Your Assessment Results.

This section should be approximately ½ to 1 page. The analysis should list the
assessment method used, summarize the overall findings from the assessments and
detail the areas of greatest risk within your organization. You can choose whether or
not to use a graph to display your findings, but the description should clearly convey
your results and their implications.

Second Step: Initiative (Best Practice) for Your Organization

Based on the risks highlighted by the assessment process, choose ONE initiative that
you feel would be useful to bring forth to your organization (Toromont CAT – Mining).
Summarize this initiative and provide rationale for why you feel this initiative will
properly address the risk factors identified. Detail how this action relates to some of the
best practices presented within the content of this course.

3. Provide a Summary Describing Your Chosen Initiative:

Be sure you begin this section by clearly explaining exactly what your initiative is. This
summary should also provide rationale for why this initiative addresses the risk factors
identified, and should detail best practices relating to the initiative. The initiative should
be in keeping with your organization and be a realistic alternative (i.e. if your company
is suffering financially, it should not be an expensive initiative to implement). This
section should also be in paragraph form and be approximately ½ a page in length.
Third Step: Implementing Change in Your Organization

The final step in this assignment involves developing a plan for implementation. It is
important to be sure you have thought through the process of implementation prior to
presenting any initiative to senior leadership. Planning an initiative all the way through
to implementation allows you to think through all of the components of your planned
initiative. It also shows a comprehensive understanding of the issues and the processes
needed to address the issue.

Creating a Quality Framework:

To begin this process, you should review the worksheet entitled Selection of Effective
Actions: Applying a Quality Framework. This worksheet provides an example of a
Quality Framework and a Program Logic Model. These are process tools that can be
used to plan implementation of your initiative.

4. Create a Quality Framework for Your Chosen Initiative.

Include a section in your final assignment that details your selected action (initiative) in
a Quality Framework similar to the one shown in the worksheets. You should create a
chart within your assignment to show the information.

Creating a Program Logic Model

Also found on the Selection of Effective Actions: Applying a Quality

Framework worksheet, is information regarding a Program Logic Model. This is a
valuable tool that can be used to better understand inputs and outputs. It also has you
think through ways to measure short- and long-term outcomes so you will be able to
determine when your initiative goals are being met.

5. Create a Program Logic Model.

Complete a Program Logic Model in your assignment. You should create a chart within
your assignment to show the necessary information. It should look similar to the chart
shown on the worksheet.

Hint: Be sure your short- and long-term outcomes are measurable. You can’t tell if
“everyone is happier”. This would e difficult to show as positively occurring or not (what
if some are happier and some are not. How can you know for sure if they are happier
and it is not just a biased view). A more measurable outcome would be “increased
employee satisfaction as demonstrated by increased follow up survey results”. This
outcome is measurable.
Gaining Leadership Support

The final process is to ensure you have the support of senior leadership to be able to
implement your initiative. Senior leadership is integral to the success of your initiative
as they will be needed to provide required resources and supports.

6. Request Support from Senior Leadership for Your Initiative.

To conclude your assignment, briefly summarize the key information you would bring to
senior leaders to gather support for your initiatives. This section should describe the
key information that would be presented to senior leaders to gain their support. Be sure
to think about the types of information that would motivate a senior level audience.
This section should be approximately ½ a page long and can include bullet points if you
choose.

7. Provide References

Please include your sources used in this section. This will include Guarding Minds at
Work and UNB course materials. APA format is preferred.

Helpful Hints

The Guarding Minds at Work website provides a wealth of information that can be
useful to you in completing your assignment. One resource that is particularly effective
is the GM@W Suggested Responses. This resource provides a range, of actions with
demonstrated results, that can give you some solid ideas for initiatives.

Special Circumstances

If you are not currently working at a company, you may conduct the assignment on an
organization you have worked at in the past or that someone you know is working at.
(You can use Toromont CAT – Mining, or York Region Paramedic Services or any
Paramedic Service, or any organization of your choosing). This may involve using non-
intrusive assessment methods such as the GM@W Organizational Review or the CSA
Audit Checklist. It is recognized you may need to infer some information while
completing your assignment. Feel free to make appropriate judgments where required.

Good News!

Many students are actually able to carry forward and implement the initiatives they
develop. If your assignment turns into something that is enacted within your
organization, I would love to hear about it. Please let me know within your assignment
if it looks like your initiative will be adopted by your company. Also, I would love a
follow up email to hear about your progress!