Australian workers most stressed in APAC: report

Despite growing awareness about the importance of mentally healthy workplaces, Australian workers remain some of the most stressed in the Asia–Pacific.

That’s according to new research from ADP, which shows that Australian workers experience stress 12 times per week on average — the highest rate in the APAC region.

The ADP People at Work 2024 report also reveals that more than half (57%) of Australian workers feel stress adversely impacts their work.

Stress and mental health

SafeWork NSW has highlighted that rising stress levels among workers can lead to significant mental and physical health consequences. From an organisational perspective, this often translates into increased absenteeism, sick leave and higher staff turnover.

Additionally, The Black Dog Institute has identified the main causes of work-related mental stress in Australia, with work pressure (31%), work-related harassment and/or bullying (27%), and workplace violence (14%) being the most common. These statistics emphasise the strong link between workplace stress and the broader mental health challenges employees face.

Out of the countries surveyed by ADP, Australia is the highest-rated country for stress in APAC. India followed closely behind, with most saying on average they experience stress 11 times per week.

The research findings illustrate that some Australian workplaces continue to struggle with supporting their employees in this area. This persistent workplace stress is not only detrimental to productivity but also has a significant impact on employees’ mental health.

The benefits of reducing stress

The World Health Organization recently estimated that when employees experience good health and wellbeing management, performance is increased by more than 2.5 times*, further reinforcing the link between workers’ wellbeing, mental health and productivity.

Judy Barnett, Operations Director at ADP Australia, said, “While many Australian businesses continue to prioritise the mental wellbeing of their employees, our data shows that there is still room for improvement.

“Even with strategic workplace programs in place, the lack of personal support and networks on the ground can still lead to poor mental health, which can negatively impact an employee’s engagement, job satisfaction and workplace productivity.

“Employers should consider re-evaluating existing mental health programs, normalising conversations around mental health, and providing resources to help workers improve their skills in managing conversations in this sensitive space. Implementing or improving valuable third-party resources, such as an Employee Assistance Program, is also an excellent way to provide confidential support and help handle difficult conversations.”

^{* Improving workplace productivity requires a holistic approach to employee health and wellbeing, World Economic Forum, 2024.}

Image credit: iStock.com/Suratsak Noikerdmee. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.