COVID crisis causing Australians to embrace flexible work

The majority (60%) of Australian employees now rate flexible work more highly than career progression prospects while selecting an employer, according to research from LifeWorks.

A survey of working Australians found that 33% believe introducing flexibility is the most important action that their employer has taken to support mental health.

The monthly Mental Health Index shows that mental health scores in Australia have remained nearly -12 points below the pre-pandemic benchmark, with mental health scores dropping more sharply in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.

LifeWorks senior vice president and managing director for APAC Jamie MacLennan said the toll COVID-19 has taken on working Australians’ mental health is causing them to value flexible work arrangements even more highly.

“With the spike in cases over the past few months due to the Omicron variant, people remained nervous in Australia despite the high vaccination rates. A resultant ‘shadow’ lockdown response combined with government recommendations to keep working from home impacted business conditions throughout January,” he said.

“In this ever-changing situation, our research for January highlighted that many employees are now placing more importance on workplace flexibility — where, when and how they work — rather than career progression, which often includes compensation, promotions and professional development. It is critical for employers to pay attention to the shift in perspective from their employees.”

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