Supporting Small businesses with ISO guidelines

While every business felt the effects of the current pandemic, those with less than 250 employees have been particularly hard hit. Yet micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) constitute the backbone of our societies, making up 90 % of businesses and 70 % of employment. Supporting them through the COVID-19 crisis is the theme of this year's Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, held each year on 27 June. ISO has a wide range of resources to help them, both now and in the long term.

Providing international best practices, many ISO standards are designed to help organizations build their resilience, improve their processes and achieve greater efficiencies. They are particularly useful for MSMEs trying to access new markets or attract investment, as they reinforce their credibility and acceptance.

Like tourism, the restaurant industry, which consists largely of MSMEs, has been brutally affected by the current pandemic. Thankfully, the proliferation of cloud or "virtual" kitchens has been a lifeline for many, enabling them to provide home-delivered meals at times when they were forced to close their doors. For this reason, ISO is currently developing guidance to help businesses use such services most effectively.

With this in mind, ISO released its new standard called ISO45003 on 8 June. This standard is about Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety at work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks, which give guidance on managing psychological health and safety risks within an occupational health and safety management system. The standard will address the many areas that can impact a worker's psychological health, including ineffective communication, excessive pressure, poor leadership and organizational culture.

ISO 45003 help users meet the requirements of ISO 45001, the world's first International Standard for an occupational health and safety management system, which is the foundation of a resilient organization with a strong, healthy and happy workforce.

More information About ISO standards

Find out more about ISO 45003: https://www.iso.org/standard/64283.html

For free ISO 45003 training contact us at: sheila@bmrhealthandwellbeing.co.uk

Who to contact when help is needed:

If you're having a difficult time, that includes signs you may struggle to cope with and impact your job.

If you're worried about someone else at your workplace.

If you think it's an emergency or supporting someone with suicidal thoughts.

You can contact Samaritans in confidence: Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, https://www.samaritans.org/