SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — New research conducted by Allianz Australia reveals a growing issue of mental distress in the Australian workplace, as surveyed Australian employees urge the need for systemic workplace reform.
According to this survey, 2.73 million Australians are already considering leaving their jobs in the coming year due to psychological pressures. A primary reason for this is companies’ failure to enforce good workplace practices that support employees’ well-being, reported by 80% of rank-and-file employees and approximately 67% of managerial employees.
The research has drawn significant attention to the factors that might be causing this distress. Its key findings include:
- 78% of managers cite systemic barriers that contribute to employee burnout, including a lack of time (26%), unavailability of technology (26%), and workplace conflict over priorities (23%).
- 59% of employees have reported experiencing work-related stress caused by workload pressures and unrealistic deadlines.
- 32% of employees also reported being unable to take proper breaks due to back-to-back schedules.
However, this distress isn’t limited to the four walls of their workplace. Nineteen percent of employees have also reported that technology has made it difficult for them to switch off outside work hours.
In response to this, Allianz is launching the Unschedule the Burnout Hub. This suite is designed to support Australian workplaces in preventing employee burnout.
Our claims data tells us that mental stress and work pressure is the second-highest contributor of primary active psychological claims. We are all on a journey, and everyday we are learning more and more about supporting mental health in the workplace.
While Allianz works to support injured workers who have been harmed by workplace stress, we recognize that the best outcomes are achieved through prevention. Through our insights, guides, and other resources, we hope to positively contribute to creating more mentally healthy workplaces.
— Mark Pittman, Allianz Australia Executive General Manager – Personal Injury
Global Implications of This Development
While the data gathered reflects Australian work culture, the symptoms and solutions can also be applied worldwide. This isn’t only a wake-up call for Australian companies, but also for companies worldwide to prioritize their employees’ well-being.
Workplace distress is becoming a business issue that negatively affects employer branding. However, this isn’t a crisis that solely falls on employees. It’s also for companies to reevaluate their workplace designs and culture—a signal that prioritizing employees’ mental health isn’t just a nice-to-have but a cost of doing business.
