Lack of support from managers leaving employees unhappy

Aussie workers are being left stranded due to a lack of support from management. This is reportedly leaving many dissatisfied in their roles, and if left untreated, could hurt both the individuals and the organisations they represent.

Twenty-one per cent of employees claimed that their dissatisfaction at work is caused by a lack of critical support by managers, according to a survey by ADP. Similarly, 41 per cent highlighted a poor relationship with management as the key reason behind their unhappiness.

Meanwhile, the proportion of Aussie workers receiving adequate mental health support has fallen by 10 per cent since last year, and 41 per cent believe their managers and colleagues lack the necessary skills to appropriately discuss mental health in the workplace.

Worryingly, these numbers appear to be dropping, as ADP’s previous research revealed that the number of employees who felt supported by their organisation’s management declined from 66 per cent in 2021 to 56 per cent in 2022.

Ineffective leadership is clearly playing a role in influencing employee mental health, prompting the need for employers to evaluate the capability of their management teams.

“The findings highlight the need for organisations to potentially reconsider their approach to leadership and prioritise supportive work environments. A third of unhappy employees attribute their unhappiness primarily to a poor relationship with their managers, which underscores the pivotal role that effective leadership plays in the workplace,” said Kylie Baullo, managing director ANZ at ADP.

“Employers are under the microscope when it comes to providing support and guidance to staff, but the good news is that it’s certainly possible, and [there is] always room for improvement. For example, I am aware that recently there has been an increase in the number of employees asking managers to attend mental health training to address widespread anxiety and depression among Australian workers.”

She continued: “In fact, not-for-profit Black Dog Institute reported a 34 per cent increase in bookings for mental health training workshops over the past financial year alone, showing more and more Australian leaders are seeing the importance in dedicating time to upskill and providing the resources needed to tackle mental health in the workplace.”

These unhealthy work environments affect not just the individual but also the overall company performance. In fact, ADP revealed that 37 per cent of workers across the country believe their job performance is suffering as a result of poor mental health.

Leaders should be looking to address these issues in the workplace. Ms Baullo recognises that this begins with communication and education.

“Australian employers should consider prioritising their workers’ mental health by investing in training and resources that equip managers with the skills and knowledge to effectively address mental health concerns in the workplace,” said Ms Baullo

“Innovation can play a key role in easing some of the stress, helping teams focus on work that matters. Looking at employing solutions that automate daily tasks, such as payroll administration, can be one of the ways managers have the opportunity to more closely support and collaborate with their employees.”