Australians are stressed and overworked

Posted October 13, 2011, by Josie Chun

Australians are stressed, overworked and reluctant to take holidays, according to the latest Australian Work Life Index (AWALI) report. The index measures how work affects quality of life for working Australians.

The proportion of people dissatisfied with their work–life balance has increased over the last three years, with the majority of Australians reporting that work is negatively impacting on the rest of their lives, causing stress and less time for themselves, their family and friends.

One quarter of full-time working women and one fifth of full-time working men feel dissatisfied with their work–life balance, and two thirds of full-time women and half of full-time men frequently feel rushed and pressed for time. Seven out of 10 working mothers report almost always feeling rushed and under pressure.

More than 20 per cent of Australian workers spend 50 hours or more a week at work and 60 per cent do not take regular holidays. Working longer hours leads to lower work–life scores, higher absenteeism and lower productivity.

Those who work the longest hours include workers in construction and mining, health, education, retail, hospitality, and managerial and professional workers. Three-quarters of people working long hours say they would like to work fewer hours, even if that means less income, and most workers would take two extra weeks of holiday over a pay rise.

Sixty per cent of workers stockpile their leave even though not taking a holiday is associated with lower work–life satisfaction. In most cases, work pressure is what prevents them from taking their holidays.

Women in full-time work suffer worse work–life interference than their male counterparts, and working mothers are particularly hard hit as they attempt to juggle the demands of work and family.

Poor work–life outcomes are associated with poorer health, more use of prescription medications, more stress and more dissatisfaction with close personal relationships. For the sake of employees’ health, employers need to demonstrate more flexibility and develop work–life friendly practices. Managers and leaders also need to increase leave opportunities and encourage employees to take holidays, and set an example by taking leave themselves.

Josie Chun

Academy Xi
ACBI (Australian College of Business Intelligence)
AIBI Higher Education
AIM Business School
ALC Training
Australasian College of Health and Wellness
Australian College of Physical Education
Australian Institute of Business
Australian Institute of Management Education and Training
Australian Institute of Personal Trainers
Billy Blue College of Design
Builders Academy Australia
Celtic Training
Collaboration Learning
College for Adult Learning
Demi International
Ducere Global Business School
Ella Bache College
Endeavour College of Natural Health
Foundation Education
Gateway Training Academy
GROW Training Group
Hader Institute of Education
Hammond Institute
Industry Skills Training
Insight Training
James Cook University Online
La Trobe University
Lumify Learn
MCI Institute
Melbourne College of Further Education
MiTraining
Monarch Institute
Nepean Industry Edge Training
Onfit Training College
Open Colleges
Original Campus
Outsource Institute
Parker Brent
Pet Stylist Academy
Phillips Institute
RMIT Online
Sero Institute
Serve It Up
The Hotel School
University of Adelaide
University of the Sunshine Coast
UNSW Online
UTS Online
Victoria University Online
Torrens University Australia
Torrens University Australia
University of East London
HTMi Australia
Southern Cross University