Most Australians are struggling at work, according to a new report from Indeed, with heavy workloads and company culture being their biggest energy drains.
Findings from Indeed’s Work Wellbeing Survey showed that just 25% of Australian employees feel happy, fulfilled, and low-stress all at once.
On the other hand, 75% of employees said they are struggling in key areas such as happiness, purpose, satisfaction, and stress.
“This isn’t just a wellbeing issue, it’s a workplace design problem,” the report stated. “Even in healthy cultures, the pace and pressure of modern work are silently eroding engagement, loyalty, and performance.”
According to the findings, just 61% of employees are happy at work most days, a seven per cent drop from the previous year.
Just 15% of employees said they strongly feel a sense of belonging at work, while only 17% said they consistently feel energised in the workplace.
“Fewer workers feel happy at work this year, compared to Indeed’s survey into workplace wellbeing last year. This decline in happiness is a clear sign employers should review and prioritise their wellbeing programmes,” said Amanda Gordon, Indeed’s Workplace Psychologist, in a statement.
The report attributed the low levels of wellbeing to a variety of factors, including:
- Increased workload or pressure (60%)
- Decline in company culture or morale (54%)
- Changes in team structure or leadership (49%)
- Less clarity or stability in role (34%)
Perks are not enough
The findings come despite around 60% of the respondents saying they feel fairly paid and have flexible working hours or locations.
Gordon said the findings indicate that workplace wellbeing is not just about perks or flexibility.
“People also need a clear sense of purpose, manageable workloads, and a steady company culture. When people feel cared for, they are motivated, and productive,” Gordon said in a statement.
Nearly half of the respondents (46%) said better communication and transparency will improve their experience at work. Another 36% said having a clear sense of purpose will keep them engaged and motivated.
Employees added that they look out for evidence that proves employers genuinely care about wellbeing. They include:
- High retention rates show genuine care (57%)
- Flexible work arrangements demonstrate commitment (57%)
- Positive employee feedback is highly valued (54%)
- Low burnout and stress levels are clear evidence of wellbeing (48%)
“Real thriving happens when teams have open dialogue, shared purpose, and visible support from managers. The good news is that small changes in how leaders communicate and recognise people can make a big difference,” Gordon said.