Australian Workers Turning Down Jobs to Preserve Their Mental Health And Wellness
Respondents to the Return on Action Report conducted in 2021 by PWC show the extent to which workers are turning down jobs in favour of their mental health and wellbeing. In fact, 69% said they would turn down a job promotion in order to preserve their mental health and a further 42% said they would change jobs to be able to work remotely more often.
More than half of the respondents (55 per cent) said that issues relating to ‘mental health and wellbeing’ (55 per cent) are more important now compared to 12 months ago; over a third (37 per cent) now expect their employer to provide mental health support – worryingly, 25 per cent feel that they did not receive enough of such support from their employers during the pandemic – and a quarter (26 per cent) said that they had suffered mental health issues and distress in the last year.
Whilst business owners must respond to win the war for talent by offering work at home arrangements, they also need to uphold WHS duty of care obligations that extend to employees who work remotely from home. It’s no secret that working in social isolation has taken its toll on the mental health and wellbeing of many Australian’s during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What can you as an employer do to support the mental health and wellbeing of employees who now expect that at least some of their work will be performed from a home office?
One way of supporting employees is through putting mental health and wellbeing on the agenda. A safety toolbox talk and sharing tips that employees for employees to take care of their mental health and wellbeing while working remotely is one of many things you can do as an employer to pro-actively support your employees.
Need suggestions on what tips you should share?
Reach out to us at Business 360
- for a copy of our “Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing for Remote Workers” guide email info@business360pps.com.au
- for a confidential phone discussion with one of our Team, click or scan below to book a time to discuss your needs, or
- call us on 1300 287 360 or email info@business360pps.com.au
