Organisational Psychology and the innovative ways it is being used in Australian workplaces was celebrated at an event hosted by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) last night.
The APS College of Organisational Psychologists brought together psychologists, Human Resources practitioners and business professionals from 19 organisations for the 2019 APS Workplace Excellence Awards in Melbourne. The event, now in its fifth year, was sponsored by Voice Project, Deakin University, MLQPlus and People Measures.
APS CEO Frances Mirabelli said: “Research shows that a positive working culture is an important contributor to an organisation’s success. The APS is so pleased to acknowledge the way these organisations have adopted Organisational Psychology approaches and their commitment to supporting their employees.”
College Chair Heather Ikin said: “Australian organisations are increasingly recognising the value of evidence-based approaches to workforce management and people strategy, under-pinned by the discipline of Organisational Psychology. These awards provide an important opportunity to recognise organisations for best practice approaches to developing their people, and ensuring alignment to the achievement of organisational objectives.”
“Organisational psychologists base their practice on science, drawing on psychological research and tested strategies to influence how people act, think and feel at work. The achievements of our finalists and winners demonstrate that business leaders can be confident these strategies produce measurable, replicable outcomes with a strong return on investment.”
MLQPlus Director Dr Mike Allan said: “The value organisational psychologists bring to employees and employers is grounded in our understanding of ‘behavioural science within organisations’ and the results that we achieve relying on that robust science. Most organisations do not questions the ‘science’ behind what we do, just that we consistently achieve great outcomes for the organisation and solve their problems.”
“Our ability to measure and quantify using good science is equally as important as the interventions we design using that science. Our strength as organisational psychologists is founded in the diversity and breadth of psychology and in the validity and reliability of that science. When organisations are spending hard earned revenue on interventions, they are looking for certainty of outcome. Organisational Psychology as a science, provides that certainty.”
The APS congratulates the following winners and finalists:
Emerging Directions in Organisational Psychology
The award for emerging directions is designed to recognise emerging specialties in organisational psychology and new and innovative approaches to applying principles of psychology in the workplace.
Winner: Aon’s Assessment Solutions
Finalists: Raw Mind Coach for Fire and Rescue NSW, Suncorp Group
Leadership Development and Coaching
The award for leadership development and coaching is designed to recognise strategies for developing leaders and coaching for improved performance and effectiveness.
Winner: Attorney-General’s Department South Australia
Finalists: Spring Point & Vicinity Centres, The Positivity Institute & Accenture ANZ
Organisational Change
The award for organisational change is designed to recognise strategies to effectively facilitate and successfully deliver organisational changes.
Winner: Bendelta & Herbert Smith Freehills
Finalist: Synergy
Organisational Development
The award for organisational development is designed to recognise organisation-wide interventions that improve organisational performance, efficiency, effectiveness and/or positive outcomes relating to organisational progress.
Winner: Steople & Western Health
Finalist: University of Western Australia, Centre for Social Impact
Performance and Capability Development
The award for performance and capability development is designed to recognise strategies focused on improving and developing the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes and performance of employees through processes, systems and learning programs.
Winner: Department Of Education Western Australia – School Psychology Service
Finalist: Lendlease
Talent Management
The award for talent management is designed to recognise people strategies focused on attracting, recruiting, selecting, on-boarding, developing and/or retaining talent.
Winner: Outsidein Group & Department for Education South Australia
Finalists: Hudson & Essential Energy, Nous Group & Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership
Workplace Health, Safety and Wellbeing
The award for workplace health, safety and wellbeing is designed to recognise strategies that improve physical and psychological health outcomes for employees.
Winner: Sydney Water
Finalists: Communicorp & CBA, CQUniversity Australia, Sentis & CS Energy
About the APS
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the leading organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 24,000 members. The APS strongly advocates for the discipline and profession of psychology, supports high standards for the profession, promotes psychological knowledge to enhance community wellbeing, and is dedicated to providing benefits to support members’ professional lives. The College of Organisational Psychologists is one of nine colleges representing specialty areas within the profession.
