OHS and WHS: a future that works research findings released

One quarter of Australian workers believe the focus on wellbeing in the workplace is increasing and one in five workers are willing to sacrifice promotion in order to obtain better wellbeing in the workplace.

That’s the findings of a Workplace Wellbeing survey of over 1000 Australian workers by Reventure Ltd, a not-for-profit think take who undertake research about workplace matters.

Reventure Ltd managing director Dr Lindsay McMillan says the report sheds some much needed light on current worker perceptions and expectations of wellbeing, where the responsibility for wellbeing lies, and the effectiveness of wellbeing programs.

“A more concerted effort to genuinely understand what employee wellbeing means to Australian workplaces is key before strategies are implemented. Wellbeing is not a buzz word to attach to any new HR strategy, but rather it requires careful considerations, factoring in worker’s evolving needs in our rapidly-changing work landscape,” said McMillan.

“This is Reventure’s sixth report as part of our national campaign, a future that works, which aims to provide practical workplace solutions in response to increasing rates of employee turnover and dissatisfaction around the nation.”

A future that works was a nationwide research project conducted by Reventure Ltd, which found nearly half the Australian workforce will be looking for a new job in the next year.

“CEO’s don’t know what to do with wellbeing because it has an emotional overtone to it,” said McMillan.

“Sleep in its own right is something we haven’t researched yet. There’s some compelling information on sleep. At the moment the average Australian spends 10.9 hours a day on screen time.”

The research found that 51% of workers believe unrealistic workload expectations have the greatest negative impact on wellbeing in the workplace. Two in five Australian workers see employee wellbeing programs as important when job searching and around three-quarters believe wellbeing programs are worth the time and money.

The research also found that 77% of Australian workers believe wellbeing revolves around the concept of healthiness and 73% believe it revolves around the concept of happiness.

Around three quarters of workers believe wellbeing programs are worth the time and money and two in five Australian workers see employee wellbeing programs as important when job searching.

“The emphasis on wellbeing has gripped Australian workplaces. As a result, many organisations have begun implementing wellbeing strategies and programs in the hope that wellbeing is actively addressed and delivered within the workplace.”