Just 27% of Australian knowledge workers have healthy relationships with work: survey

'There's increased urgency among business leaders to find solutions,' says HP expert

Just 27% of Australian knowledge workers have healthy relationships with work: survey

Only 27% of knowledge workers in Australia have a healthy relationship with work, according to the latest Work Relationship Index from HP.

It falls short of the global average of 28%, despite Australia's score already being five percentage points higher than last year's.

Australia has also recorded the third-biggest increase in year-over-year improvement in its Work Relationship Index score, just behind the United States (+6) and Indonesia (+6).

The country also placed sixth out of 12 countries in the report, with India topping the index with a score of 46%, followed by Indonesia (44%) and the United States (34%).

Source: HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index

According to the report, the findings show that the world's relationship with work remains unhealthy.

"With little evidence of significant improvement, there's increased urgency among business leaders to find solutions," the report read.

Improving employees' relationship with work

To improve employees' relationship with work, 69% of the global respondents said having a tailored or customised approach to work would help. It would even incentivise them to stay with their companies longer (68%).

In Australia, 70% of the respondents said it's important to have access to different technology that best fits their working style.

Another 69% also said it's important to work for an organisation that personalises training to fit their learning style. And for 73%, they said it's important when people at their organisation can work in the best way that suits their needs.

Source: HP's 2024 Work Relationship Index

"This year's WRI research reveals a major universal need from knowledge workers: personalised work experiences," the report read. "Knowledge workers want personalisation implemented across all aspects of their work."

According to the report, AI can also be applied in building a tailored work experience for employees.

In fact, 69% of knowledge workers who use AI agreed that they can personalise the use of the emerging technology to make them more productive.

For 39% who don't use AI, they still believe AI should help them create a "more tailored/customised experience at work."

"Despite all the fervour around AI improving operational speed and efficiency, this year's survey uncovered a promising new application for the technology – building a tailored work experience. The perspective of AI has shifted towards that of being a job enabler," the report read.