Exploration of Psychosocial Hazards: Core Values, Justice and Fairness, and Social Support to Address Workforce...

Institutions of higher learning have been challenged with high rates of turnover among faculty, administrators, and staff. Pharmacy educators face unique challenges linked to workplace stress and burnout. Efforts from the year-long work of a Council of Faculties and Council of Deans Taskforce led to the adoption of the 6 areas of work-life definitions as they apply to pharmacy academia and the identification of psychosocial hazards within these work-life areas.

In this narrative review, we provide example assessments, interventions, monitoring, and additional resources and recommendations within 3 of the 6 work-life areas that include Core Values/Work Boundaries, Social Support, and Justice/Fairness.

Within each of these 3 areas of focus, we provide evidence-based recommendations for pharmacy programs to support their employees. For Core Values/Work Boundaries, organizational leaders are encouraged to explore personal values and work-life boundary preferences with employees, with a focus on better integration. For Social Support, institutions should consider ways to integrate social connection into their curriculum and strive to create a culture of connection that brings people together for meaningful contact. For Justice/Fairness, we encourage employers to maintain transparent and consistent practices when distributing workload, salaries, and performance appraisals, and this process should be openly communicated to all employees. A proactive and holistic approach that encompasses individual, departmental, and institutional levels to address psychosocial hazards can create a more supportive and healthier environment to improve employee well-being and reduce turnover rates.