On October 1st WorkSafe WA hosted a forum for HSRs and their leaders. The role play sessions prompted healthy discussion, particularly the role HSRs play in effective consultation and issue resolution.
Guidance included putting some structure around consultation. This means planning time for discussion and giving people time to prepare for meetings etc. Choose a location that is neutral for the parties involved.
Come to issue resolution with a solution and be prepared to explore alternate solutions. Focus on resolving the issue rather than winning the conversation.
Avoid parallel monologuing – a new term for me. It beautifully describes what can happen when parties are just making statements at each other without engaging in genuine conversation.
Focus on real dialogue that includes asking open question and paraphrasing so that the other party feels heard.
Be ‘curious” and endeavour to understand the other person’s perspective. Don’t reach straight away for the “big stick”, such as quoting breaches of the legislation.
Most importantly be your “best self’ in conversations.
Thanks to WorkSafe WA and EEO Specialists for an engaging workshop. It was wonderful to reconnect with some of the HSRs I have met over the years.