This week in HR news: Sunday scaries, strikes, and South Korea

In this week’s round-up of HR news, we take a look at the “Sunday scaries” and how it’s affecting workers. We also touch on the ABC strike, the importance of feedback, and issues with a proposed work plan in South Korea.

The ‘Sunday scaries’

As seen in Human Times’ 21 March bulletin, stressful work environments could be contributing to the “Sunday scaries”.

The Sunday scaries is a feeling of anxiety about the coming week. Work can play a big factor in this as people dread Monday morning on a Sunday afternoon/evening.

According to Human Times, these negative feelings can result in presenteeism, absenteeism, reduced engagement, reduced productivity, and increased turnover.

Workplaces can do their part to limit feelings of anxiety among their employees by providing support. This may come in the form of reduced workloads, more benefits to keep staff happy, and more attention to staff’s wants and needs.

ABC workers cancel strike

The Age reported on a strike that was set to happen on 22 March by over 1,000 ABC employees, but was scrapped.

Reportedly, the workers were set to walk out for two hours on Wednesday over poor career progression opportunities and working conditions.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) ABC section secretary Sinddy Ealy said: “For the CPSU, tomorrow is about showing management at the ABC that our members are ... angered by the level of disrespect they have been shown throughout it.”

“ABC management cannot throw CPSU members off their course of action, now or ever,” she said.

Why bosses need to listen to feedback

Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) discussed how some employers are ignoring their staff.

While hearing loss could be a factor in these issues, some bosses may be intentionally ignoring workers, which SMH said creates an unhealthy work environment.

According to the article, leaders who own the companies they work at are more likely to be guilty of ignoring employees as they have nobody to answer to.

Managers may compound these problems by acting as a filter and only letting the boss know what they want to know.

SMH noted that feedback is crucial to business success, and attention should be given to staff and their concerns in order to build a healthy and productive workplace.

South Korean plan to increase working week faces backlash

There has been some controversy surrounding a plan in South Korea to introduce a 69-hour working week, as reported by Nine News.

According to the article, Millennials and Gen Z are the biggest opposers to this prospect, which would see the hours cap raised from 52 to 69.

Nine News noted how South Korean employees work some of the longest hours in the world, and there are people worked to death in the country every year.

While the plan was backed by the government, the backlash has caused them to take a new direction.