The 2022 Workplace Wellbeing Survey from EMA and nib health insurance reported six major categories that affect workplace wellbeing. The first concern was exhaustion, with 91 percent of Kiwis reporting negative physical effects due to work in the last three months and 87 percent experiencing negative emotional impacts.
Of the 1,200 workers surveyed, 84 percent reported suffering from tiredness, 63 percent felt anxious, and 69 percent had difficulty concentrating.
"We found the number one cause of workplace stress is understaffing, which often leads to poor work-life balance and places pressure on employees to work longer hours. Flow-on effects can impact an individual's wellbeing, but also productivity at the business and its sustainability into the future," said Brett O'Riley, EMA Chief Executive.
The survey reported that in the next 12 months, one in four employees intend to change jobs. Of those thinking about a career change, 78 percent wanted flexible working, 74 percent more career development, 74 percent regular performance feedback and 69 percent wanted wellbeing initiatives.
"nib has embraced flexible working, which enables our people to have a better work-life balance. Wellbeing is about physical, mental, and social health. It’s important that workplaces put policies and initiatives in place that support employees. We provide our employees with the autonomy to choose when, where and how they work - whether that means starting work early so they can do the school pick-up or kicking off the work-day later so they can be active in the morning. We’re providing the flexibility they need to support their health and career," said Rob Hennin, nib Chief Executive Officer.
