1. WEEKLY INSIGHT
Employee Sentiment Index [Q3 2024] Australia July to September: Recent Elmo survey of >1,000 Aussie’s revealed compelling insights into leave patterns & burnout in our workforce.
THE ACRUAL GAP: 22% of employees have accrued more than four weeks of leave, especially among older workers. This raises questions about why many employees aren’t using their leave. Economic uncertainty, job insecurity, and a culture that values overwork contribute to this trend, leaving workers hesitant to take time off.
BURNOUT EPIDEMIC: Nearly 50% of Australian workers report feeling burnt out. While flexible work arrangements aim to enhance work-life balance, they can make it challenging for employees to disconnect, leading to increased stress and anxiety regarding taking leave.
COMPARATIVE LEAVE POLICIES: The average length of leave coverage spans 18.2 days per year. US workers receive 10-14 days (does not carry over if unused, yet 55% of leave days are unused), British workers have 28 days (65% of employees don’t use this), Germans enjoy 30 days (only 12% accrue excessive leave) VS Australia with 20 days of annual leave. Despite having more annual leave than the global average, Australians often struggle to utilise it. Furthermore 86% of Aussie workers that post pone their leave experiencing burnout.
CONSEQUENCES OF BURNOUT: Loss of concentration (51%), working more slowly than usual (43%), taking 1 or more sick days 38%, eating unhealthily (36%), consuming too much caffeine to stay focussed (33%).
MESSAGE TO EMPLOYERS: If your employee has excessive leave accused or it is a shut down period you are are entitled to mandate leave. The impact of annual leave on performance is clear. Evidence shows that for each 10 extra hours of leave taken, an employee’s year-end performance can rise by 8%.
2. HR/IR & LEADERSHIP
The Great Reshuffle Continues: ManpowerGroup’s Global Talent Barometer
- 35% of all workers are considering a job change in the next six months.
- Young workers (ages 18-27) are the most likely to change jobs, with 47% considering a move.
- Even remote workers, who often enjoy higher well-being and work-life balance, are seeking new opportunities at a rate of 41%.
The trend of employees seeking new jobs, often referred to as the “Great Reshuffle,” continues to gain momentum. A staggering 35% of all workers are actively considering a job change within the next 6 months. This figure highlights the ongoing dissatisfaction and desire for new opportunities across various industries and sectors.
This desire to find another employer comes despite 80% of employees saying their work has meaning and purpose. “Purpose alone isn’t enough to retain talent.”
3. MARVINHR
Enhancing the workplace or an intrusion of privacy?
Workplace surveillance is expanding into remote environments, intensifying the privacy vs. productivity debate. Employers claim that monitoring enhances efficiency and safety, while unions warn of potential harms to employee morale. Innovative surveillance technologies are widespread; studies show a 10%-15% boost in productivity.
Princes Laundry saw a 5% productivity increase after implementing monitoring systems to ensure breaks and prevent injuries. Advanced AI tools give employers significant access to employee activities; 50% of finance sector organisations increased surveillance in 2023 Constant monitoring reduces workers to statistics, according to Nicole McPherson from the Finance Sector Union, undermining teamwork.
Legislation is needed to balance productivity enhancement with privacy rights protection. 70% of employees feel uncomfortable with workplace surveillance, highlighting the need for clear policies that ensure accountability and respect privacy.
Reach out to us at marvinHR today and let’s build a policy that protects both your workforce and your finances! Ella Barwood | marvinHR | HR Consultant | ella@marvinhr.com
4. WEEKLY TOP READS
- Young Aussie workers miss out on $10k at retirement because of old law
- AWU pushes Labor government for universal portable long service leave
- With a ‘CCTV camera in every laptop’ as workplace surveillance extends to the home, governments are trying to determine a limit
- Workers’ comp: Psychological injury arises after physical workplace injury
