Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
October is national Speak Up Month. It’s an opportunity for us all to raise awareness of how much we value speaking up in our organisations.
As the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s new Freedom to Speak Up Guardian, I understand the difference speaking up can make, and the impact that it can have on both organisations, staff and people who use their service.
Speaking up about concerns at work is important as it helps organisations to improve the working environment and is essential for learning and continuous improvement.
We all have a voice that counts. Speaking up and listening well supports equality and diversity. If we speak up and listen well, we can create a safer, kinder, more inclusive workplace for everyone.
Removing obstacles to speaking up
The theme for Speak Up Month 2023 is “Breaking Barriers”. This means focusing on removing the obstacles which people feel stop them from speaking up. Only by understanding and raising awareness of what these barriers are, can we then start to address them.
Fostering a culture of openness and psychological safety where everyone can feel confident and safe to speak up is of vital importance. Each person’s voice matters - regardless of background, position, or circumstances.
Speaking up and listening up at PHSO
At PHSO, we’re using this month as an opportunity to speak up, listen up and follow up, whether that be:
- connecting with colleagues
- inviting your Freedom to Speak Up Guardian to a team meeting
- sharing something getting in the way of you doing a great job.
By speaking up, employees can help organisations learn and improve. By listening up, leaders can make sure they understand what needs to change. By following up we can make sure that learning leads to action and make speaking up business as usual.
You can find out more about the work of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians and Speak Up month on the National Guardian’s website.
