More than two-and-a-half million Australian workers are considering leaving their jobs over the next 12 months, with new research revealing an increase in employee burnout and an apparent lack of empathic managers.
Examining the mental health and wellbeing of Australian workers, Allianz Australia found nearly half of the employees it surveyed felt fatigued in their current work environment — a jump of 10 per cent compared with last year’s findings.
The insurance company also found 36 per cent of workers — which it says is the equivalent of 2.7 million people — are likely to consider leaving their jobs in the next 6 months to 12 months.
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Nearly a third of employees also reported feeling a lack of compassion from their manager regarding their personal lives and how this could impact their behaviour at work.
Allianz also surveyed a number of managers who agreed there was an overall lack of empathy in the workplace.
“More than a quarter (28 per cent) believe an unconscious bias exists from their managers regarding the perception of their ability to do their job effectively,” Allianz said.
Almost half of the managers surveyed agreed they may have an unconscious bias towards staff, however 21 per cent said their organisations were making changes to try to amend this.
Allianz’s research also touched on diversity and inclusion in the workforce, with many employees with a disability (39 per cent) or those who identify as neurodivergent (42 per cent) saying they have deliberately withheld information about their personal lives from their managers or organisation over fears of being “perceived poorly”.
One in five employees with a disability also reported feeling excluded due to their personal situation.
Allianz Australia chief general manager of personal injury Julie Mitchell said the case to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the workplace was more important than ever before, with employees who feel valued likely to be more engaged in their work.
“Diversity and inclusion is so important within the workforce — it not only benefits individuals but also their teams, the organisation and society more broadly,” she said.
“By leading with empathy and inclusion, managers can create an emotionally intelligent and safe space for all employees, no matter their gender, generation, cultural background or experience of disability or neurodiversity.
“Only by doing so will they reap the benefits of the new workforce including increased productivity, creativity, improved decision-making and much more.”
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