Health, safety and wellbeing

We are all faced with many challenges on a daily basis and at La Trobe we want your wellbeing to be a priority.  Seek assistance form our confidential support services.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - intranet login required

Free and confidential, short-term support program for a wide variety of work-related and personal problems. Call 1300 687 327

Manager Assistance Program (MAP) - intranet login required

Manager Assist is a confidential support service designed specifically for line managers, project/team leaders and supervisors. Call 1300 687 327

La Trobe Psychology Clinic

Offering a range of services for students, staff and their families who want to make changes in their life and enhance their wellbeing.

La Trobe University Medical Centre

The GP Clinic at La Trobe provides bulk billing for La Trobe University students and staff. International students with Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) card may also access these services at no additional cost.

The function of the University Ombudsman's Office is to provide all members of the University with access to independent review, arbitration or conciliation after all internal avenues of appeal or redress have been exhausted. The Ombudsman is also the official point of contact for anyone wishing to report improper or corrupt conduct (as defined by the State of Victoria Protected Disclosure Act 2012).

For this purpose, members of the University are all:

• enrolled students
• graduates
• staff
• members of Council
• residents of Colleges
• students enrolled in courses at La Trobe College Australia, La Trobe Sydney Campus  and Chisholm Institute (Dandenong)

The University Ombudsman
Professor Andrew Brennan
Located within the offices of Equity and Diversity
Room 136, Level 1, Peribolos East
Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus
Tel: (03) 9479 1897 or (03) 9479 1435
Fax: (03) 9479 3897
Email: ombudsman@latrobe.edu.au

Ergonomics

Wherever you work, having a workstation set up in the right way means you can perform your work comfortably and effectively while reducing fatigue and the risk of injury.

Screen placement, chair adjustment, keyboard and mouse positioning all contribute to a safe and comfortable workstation.

Workstation assessments should always be undertaken whenever:

• an employee starts in a new role or location;
• the employee's tasks have changed significantly;
• new equipment is provided, and
• an employee is experiencing health problems as a result of a possible ergonomic situation.

If you have experienced pain or discomfort and believe it is related to your workstation speak with your immediate supervisor, complete an incident report and Health & Safety will be in contact with you.

Completing a workstation assessment

Follow these 4 steps when setting up a workstation, requiring an adjustment and maintaining a healthy work environment.

1. Look after your body

Our bodies are made to move and days at the desk in a restricted position can lead to injuries if proper care is not taken.  The best way to ensure your working day is productive and comfortable is to move often.  Implement these techniques:

• get up from your workstation every 20-30 minutes, go for a walk or do some stretches;
• access the Guardian Ergonomic EOS™ software to remind you to move every 20 minutes.  To do this complete the Guardian Ergonomic Office Software request under Software on the ICT Service Catalogue. The ICT Service Desk will contact you to install the software.

2. Complete a self-assessment check list

To set up your workstation correctly yourself, use our ergonomic checklist (intranet login required).

If the self-assessment indicates that you need any changes or modifications to your workstation, do so to alleviate any problems.

3. Arrange an ergonomic assessment

If step 1 and 2 are followed and still find the workstation to be uncomfortable a professional ergonomic assessment can be arranged to assess the workstation and provide adjustments and recommendations.   This assessment will be at the expense of the College or Division, as will any additional equipment recommendations made.

Assessments can be arranged by contacting La Trobe Health and Safety on 9479 2462 for assistance.

4. Provision of assistive devices

All costs for assistive devices are to be purchased through your department and must be approved by your Head of School/ Head of Department or Senior manager.

Assistive devices require the employee to obtain a medical certificate outlining the related health condition and recommendations.  Based on the medical professionals recommendations towards the ergonomic injury.

Standing work stations

Fall under assistive devices and provision of these require a medical certificate outlining the health condition and recommendations of use for the standing work station.  Step 1 and Step 2 should be completed prior to seeking a standing station.

The cost of these stations comes from your department and must be approved by the Head of School/ Head of Department or Senior manager.

Standing work stations can be sourced from either:

http://au.varidesk.com/

or contact Maria Hough on (03) 9308 7900 from Mark Perry

Better Back Program

The Better Back program is an Exercise Physiologist designed 90 minute sustainable back health education session with a balance between theory and practical application.

These sessions are ideal for someone with a current back issue or wants a better understanding of how the body works, how to manage an injury and how to prevent an injury.

register interest into the next workshop to wellbeing@latrobe.edu.au

One size doesn't always fit all. That's why the new La Trobe Health Plan provides you with access to hundreds of policies and policy combinations from a range of fundsincluding  corporate deals with HCF, GMHBA and BUPA.

If you haven't reviewed your cover for a while, your situation has changed or don't really understand your current policy, The La Trobe Health Plan can offer you great value cover and save you money.

To understand your existing health insurance policy and to find a better one, request a review or call 1800 808 026. Learn more.

Watch this video to understand the benefits of going to a Choosewell advisor.

To book a consult with a Choosewell advisor email corporate@choosewell.com.au or call 1800 808 026.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free and confidential, short-term support program for a wide variety of work-related and personal problems.

The program is available to all employees of La Trobe University and their immediate families (living under the same roof).

You can refer yourself at any time (24 hours, 7 days a week) or a referral can be initiated through:

• Supervisor/Manager/HR
• Friends/peers

How to access the EAP

By phone:

Call 1300 OUR EAP (1300 687 327) to access EAP. Consultants are contactable through a 24-hour 7-days-a-week pager service.

Online:

The EAP web portal (Username: latrobe and Password: latrobe [all lowercase]) provides additional information on a variety of services, including:

• EAP intake processes
• Healthy living tips
• Ezine articles
• Management coaching tools

What the EAP can help you with

An EAP can provide assistance in the following areas:

• Work-related issues
• Interpersonal conflicts
• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Relationships and family issues
• Financial and legal difficulties
• Drug, alcohol and other dependency problems
• Critical incident/post trauma counselling
• Grief and loss

How an EAP consultant can help:

• Assess the issues concerning you
• Provide counseling, coaching and education to deal with these issues
• Identify options and alternatives for problem resolution
• Facilitate referrals for longer term assistance where required

What to remember about EAP

• EAP is confidential
  The program maintains complete confidentiality for all who access the service. A consultant will not communicate issues unless authorised by the individual.
• EAP is free
  EAP is free to employees and immediate family members (under the same roof). Where an individual is referred to an external support service, the cost incurred is the responsibility of the employee.
• EAP is voluntary
  The employee decides whether or not to access the EAP.
• Using EAP will not jeopardise your job
  The aim of the EAP is to assist the individual without jeopardising employment conditions, job security or career opportunities.

For further information contact La Trobe Health and Safety at (03) 9479 2462.