Following on from our previous articles, “Workplace Harassment: The Cost of Failing to Protect Employees” and “HR Challenges: Unsafe vs Uncomfortable in the Workplace,” this article explores how predictable workplace stress patterns can help businesses take proactive action in managing employee wellbeing.
Stress in the workplace is not a random occurrence-recent data confirms that it follows identifiable trends throughout the year. SuperFriend’s latest Indicators of a Thriving Workplace report, based on data collected from over 13,300 employees in 2024, highlights key seasonal trends and provides valuable insights into how organisations can take proactive measures to mitigate stress before it escalates.
Key Findings: The Yearly Stress Cycle
According to the report, workplace stress follows predictable patterns, with peaks in June and December. These months align with major workplace events, including performance reviews, financial reporting deadlines, and holiday-related pressures.
Other notable trends include:
- Burnout and psychological distress rise steadily throughout the year – Employees experience increasing fatigue and reduced engagement, with mental health strain accumulating month by month.
- Retention challenges peak at year-end – Employee satisfaction and commitment typically improve mid-year but drop significantly in December, highlighting the importance of sustained engagement efforts.
New Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace
In addition to seasonal stress patterns, the report also raises concerns about new workplace psychosocial hazards, which have now been incorporated into the federal Code of Practice for Managing Psychosocial Hazards. These include:
- Fatigue – 33% of workers aged 25 to 44 report feeling mentally exhausted “often” or “always.”
- Job insecurity – 1 in 5 workers feel their job is unstable, especially those in casual, freelance, gig, or fixed-term contract roles.
- Intrusive surveillance – 1 in 10 transport, postal, and warehousing workers report being subjected to intrusive surveillance in the past 12 months.
New Code of Practice: A Step Towards Safer Workplaces
In response to the growing awareness of workplace stress and harassment, the Australian Government has introduced the Commonwealth Work Health and Safety (Sexual and Gender-based Harassment) Code of Practice. This code aligns with Safe Work Australia’s model code and provides businesses with guidance on:
- Developing safe working procedures to prevent workplace harassment.
- Understanding employers’ positive duty under the Sex Discrimination Act to eliminate unlawful discrimination.
- Managing psychosocial risks as part of broader WHS compliance measures.
The new code is legally admissible in court proceedings, meaning that failing to comply could expose businesses to significant legal and financial consequences.
How Businesses Can Take Action
Rather than waiting for stress to become a crisis, business owners and managers should proactively address these issues through year-round, industry-specific strategies. Here’s how:
- Regular HR Audits -Conduct assessments to identify workplace stressors and implement targeted interventions.
- Comprehensive Policy Development -Ensure policies are in place to address workplace harassment, job security, and psychosocial hazards.
- Proactive Communication & Training -Equip managers with the skills to recognise and mitigate stress-related risks.
- Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Initiatives -Provide ongoing support, mental health resources, and work-life balance strategies.
How Strategic HR Can Help
At Strategic HR Australia, we understand that managing work-related stress and compliance can be complex. Our expert team can assist in developing customised workplace policies, conducting HR best practice audits, and providing tailored strategies to enhance employee wellbeing.
If you’re unsure whether your business is adequately managing workplace stress and psychosocial risks, now is the time to act.
Contact us today to ensure your organisation is compliant, your employees are supported, and your workplace is thriving year-round.
