Stress, burnout, workplace harassment, excessive workloads, and weak organisational culture can have far-reaching consequences for workers, businesses, and the wider economy, according to Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith.
The Minister made the remarks on Thursday while addressing the AmCham Guyana Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE) Conference, where he called on employers to place greater focus on the psychosocial well-being of employees as a core part of workplace safety.
Minister Griffith said that as Guyana’s economy continues to expand, it is important for employers to build supportive work environments where employees feel respected, valued, and comfortable speaking openly about challenges they face on the job.
“A serious conversation that workplaces should start having is how do they ensure the psychosocial health of our workers; that they can come to work and be happy while they are at work, that they are not disgruntled, they are not anxious about the work that they are doing,” he said.
He encouraged industry leaders to actively foster workplace cultures that recognise and address the psychological impact of work, while promoting overall employee wellbeing. “We must cultivate an ecosystem in our workspaces where people can willingly not just engage the work but be willing to talk about the psychosocial effects of work so that they can do their work in the best way possible,” Minister Griffith added.
The Labour Minister further stressed that workplace safety goes beyond physical protection, noting that employees must also feel secure enough to raise concerns without fear of victimisation.
“Psychosocial safety is just as important as physical safety,” he emphasised.Minister Griffith urged both employers and employees to share responsibility in building healthier workplaces, saying that worker wellbeing is essential to maintaining productivity and sustaining long-term economic growth.
