Written by Dr Vanessa Cook
Author, neuroscience nerd, safety enthusiast, learning & capability specialist, and mum of two kids and a Labrador puppy, who is, let's face it, usually the favourite child.
If there’s one factor that impacts all of us at different times and poses a serious threat to our safety and wellbeing, it’s fatigue. This is a topic that hits home for me due to my own work history and a near-miss with a fatigue-related incident.
Fatigue isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a serious risk to safety, wellbeing, and productivity.
As leaders, we have a responsibility to proactively manage it, especially now that Industrial Manslaughter Laws have made safety oversight more critical than ever. But for me, this issue is personal.
When I was at university, I worked multiple jobs that involved shift work and long hours. I was a nursing assistant in nursing homes, and every week I’d do an active nightshift from 10pm to 7am, then head straight to my morning lectures. I’d sit there, trying to absorb the information, but I often felt foggy and disoriented.
I noticed that my memory and academic performance suffered on the days I’d come straight off nightshift. Sometimes I made mistakes and errors of judgement. But, to be honest, I thought I was pretty tough. “Sleep is for the weak” I’d say, trying to convince myself that I was immune to fatigue.
I also worked as a bouncer doing security work in nightclubs. I’d attend uni during the day, then roll straight into a Friday night shift and finish work at 4am on Saturday. I’d jump in the car, and barely recall the 30-minute drive home from Frankston.
Once, as a bright sunrise dawned, I was driving on the freeway feeling warm and comfortable. I knew I was tired, but I believed I could stay awake because I was very aware of the risk of having an accident. Then suddenly, I opened my eyes to the sound of beeping—I had drifted across two lanes at 100 km/h. I could have died that day. I could have killed someone that day.
This was a wakeup call, and its why fatigue management matters to me. Today, we’re busier, more stressed, and more distracted than ever. And as leaders, we must step up and lead a positive culture around how we discuss and manage fatigue, both in the workplace and at home.
The Role of Leaders in Fatigue Management
As leaders, we are responsible for creating a culture where fatigue is openly discussed and proactively managed. That’s where the Leading Positive Fatigue Management program comes in. Our new online program is designed to empower leaders to foster a culture of shared responsibility for fatigue management within their teams. Because it takes all of us to be safe every day!
I’m proud to have been involved in the development of this program. It provides leaders with a good understanding of fatigue and how it affects the brain and body, but it also gives them strategies to promote helpful attitudes about fatigue, so they can combat the sort of unhelpful and unsafe attitudes that I used to have about working fatigued.
The program enables leaders to recognise and reinforce positive fatigue management behaviours, and develop skills to have fatigue-focused coaching conversations that motivate team members to stay safe, well and engaged on the job.
Fatigue management training isn’t just about avoiding penalties under the law. Leading a positive fatigue management culture comes from a place of genuine care—it’s about looking out for each other, showing that it matters to you that your people are able to manage their safety with alert and focused brains, and ensuring they have the energy and clarity to do their best work.
It’s about fostering an environment where employees feel supported, empowered to speak up when they’re fatigued, and confident that their wellbeing is valued. By creating this culture, you’re not only protecting your team from risks, but also building stronger, more engaged, and resilient team.
With the end-of-year festivities and distractions fast approaching, this is the perfect time to upskill in this area. To mark the launch of this new program, I’d like to extend a special introductory offer to you.
Normally priced at $150, if you register before the 31st of October 2024, you’ll pay just $99 and gain access to:
- A 60-minute self-paced eLearning module with 14 interactive lessons
- A downloadable Focus on Fatigue booklet with check-in conversations and leader focus questions
