The gap between fair pay and financial need

New research has revealed that stability feels further out of reach, despite job worries easing.

As economic security falls and burnout rises, Australian workers are discovering that, while one worry can ease, another can take its place.

According to the ELMO Employee Sentiment Index, 72 per cent of surveyed workers feel satisfied that they are paid fairly, but 40 per cent do not feel financially secure from their paycheque. At the same time, economic security has declined dramatically over the last six months, falling from 37 per cent in the second half of 2025 to 28 per cent in 2026 thus far.

ELMO Software president Joseph Lyons explained that the broader cost-of-living crisis is fuelling shifting perceptions of financial security, noting that this is affecting employee sentiment and behaviour.

He said: “Pay matters, but so does certainty. With organisational stability now second only to remuneration when people choose an employer, there’s a clear message for businesses: employees are looking for confidence in what comes next.”

The report also highlighted an interesting dichotomy, whereby burnout is rising at the same time job retention concerns are easing. Not only has burnout risen 5 per cent over the last six months, but the rate of employees attending work while sick has similarly jumped by 5 per cent, with worsening rates of positive economic security suggesting the issue is universal, rather than connected to a specific job or sector.

In support of this idea, 75 per cent of surveyed Australian employees feel positive about their employers and the recognition of their work, reinforcing that, even in the midst of crushing affordability pressures, workplace support is crucial.

In relation, a majority of Australians remain optimistic about job security when it comes to AI, with 68 per cent unconcerned that their specialised skills will be replaced or automated, and 66 per cent believing the technology will help them in their role.

However, the 29 per cent that assert their role is at risk of replacement within the next five years signals anxiety remains uncommon in employees, providing the opportunity for employers to rise to the challenge.

According to organisational psychologist Dr Amantha Imber, “employers can’t influence inflation or interest rates, but they can influence how supported employees feel while living through economic uncertainty”.

Imber also noted that visible support is likely to impact employee wellbeing and workflow, adding: “Financial pressure rarely stays at home. It influences energy, concentration, wellbeing and ultimately performance at work. Organisations that acknowledge that reality and invest in practical support are more likely to build resilient, engaged workforces.”

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