Designated mental health days are becoming more and more necessary
Nearly half of Australian workers are experiencing high or extreme levels of burnout, according to Ceridian's 2022 Pulse of Talent Report, driven mostly by increased workloads for employees. The report revealed that 85% of staff are suffering from burnout, with 43% of these employees admitting that they’re experiencing it on high or extreme levels.
According to the respondents, the top catalysts for this is increased workloads, followed by mental health challenges. As a result, a third of employees said they’re losing interest in their work and are less focused as a result. These workers then unveiled that they plan to take sick leave or a leave of absence in order to address the issue. They’re also asking for flexibility from their managers.
Read more: $11 billion lost because of burnout – here's how to stamp it out
New Zealand employees are no different, according to the report, which sought the responses of 478 employees from the country. Just like their Australian counterparts, 84% of New Zealand workers said they’re experiencing burnout, with 36% of them reporting high or extreme levels. About 42% of these workers said increased workloads drove them to the situation, followed by mental health challenges.
Similar consequences due to burnout were also reported by employees. According to the study, 36% said they’ve lost all passion for their job - while 30% have become less focused because of this. According to workers from both Australia and New Zealand, however, designating mental health days is the top support employers can offer them to help improve their mental health and wellness.
Stephen Moore, managing director of Asia Pacific Japan, Ceridian, said approaches to employees' mental health and wellbeing should also change as workplace have done in the past.
"Not only is it the responsible thing to do, but a healthy and engaged workforce leads to lower turnover, lower absenteeism, and higher productivity in what is now an increasingly borderless, fluid and always-on world of work,” he added.
