Join us on Day One, Afternoon Session – WHS Show 2025

You know the one.
That conversation.

The one where someone’s work performance is slipping, tensions are high, emotions are
visible, and you’re walking a tightrope between your duty of care and fear of saying the
wrong thing.

What if they get angry?
What if they deny it and pull the “mental health card”?
What if you make it worse?

As a WHS professional, you’ve probably felt that gnawing uncertainty in your gut. You’ve
seen the warning signs—stress, frustration, withdrawal, mood swings—and wondered: Is
this burnout? Is this a performance issue? Is this a mental health red flag? And most
importantly: What do I do next?

That’s why you need to attend the 30-minute session, “That Conversation: How S.A.F.E.
Conversation Skills Help WHS Leaders Tackle Difficult Conversations”—presented by
workplace mental health expert and psychosocial safety specialist, Bill Carson.

This isn’t your typical “check-the-box” session. It’s a practical, no-nonsense guide for WHS
Managers, HR leaders and frontline supervisors who need real-world tools to safely, legally,
and compassionately navigate those uncomfortable but crucial conversations.

Why This Session Matters

According to the Gallup 2024 report, 64% of employees are “stressing and disengaged”,
and 10% are “actively disengaged and struggling.” These aren’t just numbers—they’re
indicators of psychosocial hazards in plain sight. If left unaddressed, they lead to increased
absenteeism, mental health claims, and a culture of silence.

This session dives deep into why we avoid these conversations—fear, anxiety, stigma—and
what to do instead. You’ll learn how to:

• Spot the signs of psychological strain early, before it becomes a claim
• Use S.A.F.E. Conversation Skills to respond without judgement or overstepping
• Handle disclosures without falling into the “fix-it” trap
• Support staff while staying in your lane as a WHS leader
• Lower psychosocial risks with Personal Protective Skills (PPS) for managers

What You’ll Take Away

In just 30 minutes, you’ll walk away with a new level of confidence to:
✔ Know what to say—and what not to say
✔ Reduce the risk of psychological injury claims
✔ Build trust and accountability in your team
✔ Shift from avoiding hard conversations to approaching them with skill and compassion

And there’s a bonus: You’ll get a chance to experience a real-life scenario that brings
everything together—practical, interactive, and immediately applicable in your workplace.

Don’t Miss It

That conversation doesn’t have to be the one you avoid. It can be the one that turns things
around—for your people, your culture, and your WHS outcomes.
Join us for this powerful, fast-paced and actionable session on Day One of the WHS Show,
afternoon stream.

Because the cost of avoiding that conversation is just too high.