Switch Off and Find Calm, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 3 Workplace overwhelm

As a society it seems we are trying our best to switch off more. We have apps designed to tell us when to switch off and programs to help us slow down. Workplaces are promoting healthy habits, there are government-led health initiatives, and more private companies are offering workplace-based health solutions. But the statistics indicate this is not nearly enough.

A report in 2015 by the University of Wollongong and Workplace Health Association Australia titled Health Profile of Australian Employees examined the health characteristics of nearly 30 000 Australian workers gleaned from workplace health assessments over the past decade. The researchers explored health factors such as smoking, levels of physical activity and alcohol consumption. Alarmingly, the research found that 65 per cent of employees reported moderate to high stress levels. With 41 per cent indicating ‘at-risk’ psychological distress.

Mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces $10.9 billion each year, This consists of $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism and $146 million in workers compensation claims. Presenteeism is a newer issue that is costing workplaces billions of dollars. It is the practice of coming to work despite illness, injury, anxiety, or mental state often resulting in poor performance and productivity. The four main causes of presenteeism are due to unhealthy lifestyles, workers with illnesses going to work, poor work-life balance ...