New Zealand's healthcare staff, teachers and tradies most dissatisfied workers: study

New research has revealed New Zealand’s most dissatisfied workers with healthcare staff, teachers and tradies scoring the lowest.

Compared to desk-based employees, non-office workers have shown far lower levels of wellbeing and say their needs are not being met, according to the Skills Consulting Group 2021 Work Wellbeing Index. It found non-office workers, which includes roles like retail staff, drivers, nurses and tradies, scored an overall wellbeing average of 59% - seven points lower than office-based staff.

When broken down by industry, the Index shows that those working in healthcare scored their wellbeing at 56%, followed by construction/trades and education at 57%, and retail and agriculture workers at 58%.

Jane Kennelly, Skills Consulting Group GM of Wellbeing, said the data shows that wellbeing initiatives on offer to today’s workforces must be more flexible to suit the nature of different roles.

“This is really compelling data,” she told HRD. “Traditionally, programmes have addressed wellbeing overall within an organisation.

“To date, it has tended to put everyone into one basket – when what people need in terms of their wellbeing is diverse and so the programmes that will best address those needs need to be diverse as well. Organisations need to ensure they customise their approach.”

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For example, for employees working variable shift hours or who work between different locations face-to-face counselling may be inconvenient. Kennelly said to support a diverse workforce, more personalised tools and check-ins are needed to ensure those workers don’t fall through the cracks simply because of their role.

While she said seeing healthcare workers, teachers and tradies in the bottom three in terms of wellbeing isn’t surprising, it is concerning.

“Given recent nursing strikes over pay and conditions and reports of nurses heading to Australia for better remuneration and lifestyle – it’s no wonder that those in the healthcare sector feel their wellbeing is not being addressed,” she said.

“Add to that, teachers being dissatisfied with remuneration in their sector and then the huge pressure on our building industry in the post-Covid environment.”

Non-office workers scored lower across a number of factors that contribute to wellbeing, including feeling genuine care from their managers and the structures and programmes in place to support them.

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If employers fail to address the wellbeing concerns within these essential industries, talented employees will vote with their feet and go elsewhere. Coupled with dire skill shortages in industries like construction and healthcare and a freeze on new skilled migrant arriving to help fill the gaps, attracting and retaining talent is a key focus for HR leaders right now.

The Work Wellbeing Index is the first of its kind in New Zealand and will be rolled out on an annual basis, providing an in-depth look at where Kiwi businesses are at, across different regions and industries around New Zealand.

“Gathering this data will help businesses really understand where they’re at with wellbeing within their workplace and within their particular industry,” Kennelly said.

“But it is even more than that - by knowing what their people need as individuals, businesses can understand what is truly important to their people. And when employees are thriving, employers will enjoy the benefit of happier, more productive workers.”