Many employees fatigued, burnt out and considering leaving their jobs: report
Australian businesses plan to invest $27.8 billion in diversity and inclusion practices, as well as mental health support services over the next year.
This significant investment equates to an average of $38,771 per organisation surveyed, according to Allianz Australia.
According to the research, nearly half of Australian employees (48%) report feeling fatigued and burnt out in their current work environments, a notable increase from 2023.
Additionally, over a third (36%) of employees are considering leaving their current jobs within the next 6 to 12 months, translating to roughly 2.7 million workers nationwide.
The findings suggest that enhanced organisational support is critical. Over a third (39%) of employees with disabilities and two-in-five (42%) neurodivergent employees have withheld information about their personal situations due to fear of being perceived poorly by their managers or organisations.
“It’s crucial that organisations focus on supporting all individuals regardless of their differences,” said Allianz, noting that a diverse workforce is associated with improved business outcomes.
‘Empathy gap’ among management?
A significant challenge identified in the research is the "empathy gap." Nearly a third (31%) of surveyed employees reported feeling a lack of compassion from their managers towards their personal circumstances and their impact on work.
Over a quarter (28%) believe there is an unconscious bias from their managers regarding their ability to perform their jobs effectively. Furthermore, one in five (22%) employees with disabilities have felt excluded due to their personal situations or characteristics.
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“A quarter of surveyed managers (25%) acknowledge there’s an ‘empathy gap’ in their workplace,” said Allianz. “Nearly half (45%) agree they may have an unconscious bias towards their team.”
Despite the evident need for more support, there is a disconnect between managers' perceptions and employees' experiences. The majority of managers surveyed (85%) believe they show empathy and compassion towards their teams regarding personal circumstances, but less than half of employees (46%) agree.
“Both employees and managers agree that more action can be taken within their workplace to support mental health needs,” Allianz noted. Further, one in five (21%) surveyed managers indicated that their organisation is actively taking steps to address unconscious bias in the workplace.
Economic pressures impact employee wellbeing
Economic pressures are exacerbating these challenges. Nearly half (46%) of Australian employees state that cost of living pressures are negatively impacting their job satisfaction.
This is compounded by inadequate rewards at work (33%) and mismanaged staff shortages resulting in increased individual workloads (25%).
The friction caused by economic pressures and internal employee wellbeing challenges can lead to significant mental health issues. Allianz's data shows a 47.5% increase in active psychological Workers’ Compensation claims and a 30% increase in the number of days off due to mental health issues over the past five years.