Handling concerns about a new safety process

Here are the six basic concerns of people when a new process or procedure is introduced in the workplace. If you anticipate and deal quickly with the critical issues people have about change, you can launch a new initiative with more participants and fewer resistors.

* Why is the change needed? – Explain the rationale behind the change. Educating people about the principles behind a new safety policy enables understanding.

* What’s in it for me? – Don’t let your people speculate on how a particular change will affect them. Be honest about the extra effort and emphasize the positive consequences.

* What will I have to do? – It’s important to convince potential participants that the new responsibilities are within their capabilities.

* Who else will be involved? – Spell out the degree of coordination and cooperation needed for success.

* How will my participation be evaluated? – Employees want to participate competently in worthwhile endeavors, but their feelings of competence are influenced by the methods used to observe and rank performance.

* Can we suggest improvements? – Leave plenty of room for individuals and work teams to derive specific procedures and encourage refinement of a new safety process.