Psychosocial risks must receive equal attention as physical hazards, says activist
PETALING JAYA: Mental health must be recognised as a core occupational safety and health (OSH) issue and no longer treated as a personal problem, said Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said workplaces cannot be considered safe if employees are struggling with burnout, workplace bullying, toxic work cultures or overwhelming workloads.
“For too long, mental health in our workplaces has been a silent hazard but often, we say nothing. We look away and remain silent. That silence must end.”
He emphasised that psychosocial risks should be treated with the same seriousness as physical workplace hazards such as faulty machinery, slippery floors or chemical exposure, as their effects could be equally damaging and sometimes even more devastating because they affect the mind.
He cited the Employment Hero’s Wellness at Work Report, which found that burnout among Malaysian employees increased from 58% in 2022 to 67% in 2024.
“These are not soft issues. Mental health challenges could impair concentration, reduce motivation, increase errors and ultimately lead to disengagement.
“Poor mental health not only affects emotional wellbeing but could also contribute to physical illnesses, as chronic stress is linked to heart disease, hypertension, weakened immunity and sleep disorders.”
He also highlighted the growing issue of “presenteeism”, in which employees are physically present at work but mentally absent due to stress, anxiety or depression.
“They sit at their desks, but their minds are burdened. They cannot focus. They cannot perform and sometimes, they make critical mistakes.”
Lee said presenteeism is not only a human issue but also an economic concern as it drains workplace productivity and affects national growth.
“If we ignore mental health, we are not only failing our people, we are failing our economy.”
He urged employers to create safer psychosocial work environments by encouraging open conversations about mental health without fear of stigma or discrimination.
Among the measures proposed were providing access to counselling and employee assistance programmes, training managers to recognise early signs of mental distress, ensuring fair workloads and work-life balance, and establishing clear policies to address workplace bullying and harassment.
“Workplaces that prioritise mental health see higher levels of employee engagement, stronger teamwork, better retention and improved overall performance.”
He also called on the government to strengthen recognition of psychosocial risks within the national OSH framework.
He added that Section 18B of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (Osha) 1994 requires employers to conduct occupational safety and health risk assessments, including those related to psychosocial hazards.
Lee said the Guidelines for Psychosocial Risk Assessment and Management at the Workplace 2024 could assist employers in identifying and managing such risks.
Meanwhile, Section 16 of Osha 1994 requires employers to establish occupational safety and health policies that also address psychosocial hazards in the workplace, with offences carrying penalties of up to RM500,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
However, he emphasised that laws and policies would not be enough to create lasting change.
“A true culture of care must start from the top. Managers must be trained not only to deliver results, but to understand individuals.”
He also called for greater mental health literacy among youths, saying many young individuals are entering the workforce already experiencing burnout.
“We must equip them with mental health literacy early in schools and universities so they are able to enter the professional world with resilience.”
Lee said organisations should also prioritise employee wellbeing as part of their environmental, social and governance commitments.
