HR leaders told to boost support for overworked managers

HR leaders across Australia are being urged to enhance the support for overworked managers who confessed that they are on the verge of quitting due to excessive workload.

Perkbox Australia's poll among over 1,000 managers found that 77% of managers are being asked to do more with fewer resources.

As a result, 68% said their mental wellbeing has been impacted, with 52% saying their ability to care for their team has dwindled over the past 12 months.

And if the situation does not improve, 42% said they would consider a new employer.

"This study should serve as a wake-up call to business and human resources leaders to focus on the support they have in place for their managers, and how best to equip and empower them to care for and celebrate their employees," said Perkbox CEO Doug Butler in a statement.

Diminishing support from managers

The diminishing support from managers came despite 90% believing that they are now directly responsible for their team's physical and mental wellbeing.

In fact, 71% of managers said they believe their team needs further guidance on managing concerns around cost of living.

"Managers help companies function effectively and our research shows that their roles are expanding during this period of economic uncertainty to often include supporting the wellbeing of their employees," Butler said.

But employers aren't only concerned about getting overworked, they're also worried about an emerging rift between them and business leaders, according to the report.

It found that 63% of managers feel a "growing disconnect" between them and their business leaders, with the major reasons including:

• Business leaders are more concerned about profit than putting people first (73%)
• Business leaders are too detached from day-to-day operations and fail to acknowledge increasing stress levels (69%)