Wellbeing and Support Policy

Policy Title

Wellbeing and Support

Purpose

Monash University strives to:

• provide a supportive work environment and contribute to the health and wellbeing of all staff;
• work with the University community in the prevention of injuries and illnesses in the workplace through compliance with OHS legislation and the development of a proactive safety culture within the University;
• provide reasonable support to any staff member suffering an illness or injury; and
• practise and promote environmental sustainability in the University workplace and community.

Supporting Research and Analysis

Much of the University’s wellbeing and support mechanisms are prescribed by law, including OHS and accident compensation legislation. However, where the management of staff wellbeing and support is not prescribed by law, it is desirable to apply a global policy which provides a framework for decision-making and encourages consistency in managing such issues across the University, both within Australia and internationally. This is consistent with best practice and the University’s strategic objectives as an international university.

This policy complies with the various legislative and employment frameworks utilised by Australia, Malaysia and South Africa and is designed to enable implementation across all of the University’s campuses, both within Australia and internationally.

The Monash University Ethics Statement underpins this policy and does not exclude or replace this policy or its related procedures. In the unlikely event of any inconsistency between the Ethics Statement and this policy, the explicit requirements of this policy shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• all campuses; and
• all staff.

Policy Statement

Consistent with the needs of its business operations and its legislative and other legal obligations, the University seeks to:

• provide a safe and healthy environment for its staff, students and visitors at all campuses;
• provide support and advice to staff on emotional, medical, accommodation, religious/spiritual, educational, and child care issues in order to enhance the health and wellbeing of staff, including the provision of confidential counselling and consulting services;
• demonstrate its commitment to a sustainable environment and the need to maintain and restore a rich biodiversity; and
• reinforce and operationalise the values and principles stated in the Monash University Ethics Statement and Monash Directions 2025.
  

Responsibility for implementation

Campus Pro Vice-Chancellors
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Deans/Heads of Schools
Divisional Directors/Heads of Units
Directors
Faculty Managers/Managers

Policy status

Version 2

Key Stakeholders

Campus Pro Vice-Chancellors
Deputy Vice-Chancellors
Deans
Divisional Directors
Directors
Faculty Managers

Approval Body

Strategy and Resources Committee
Meeting number: 5/08
Meeting date: 5 June 2008
Agenda item:

Endorsement Body

HR Directors’ Group
Meeting number:
Meeting date:
Agenda item:

Date Effective

Date approved by the Strategy and Resources Committee

Next Review Date

Three years from date of approval

Policy Owner

Monash HR

Policy Author

Director, HR Operations
Director, Workplace Relations

Contact

ask.monash@monash.edu.au (Australia)
info.hr@monash.edu.my (Malaysia)
michael.seshoka@adm.monash.edu (South Africa)