'Covid disruption has not subsided': Allianz warns of workplace fallout

Allianz Australia has cautioned the worst of the pandemic is not over as long-term disruptions to workplaces around the country are emerging, possibly affecting workers’ compensation claims if left unchecked.

Research released today by the insurer found the public health crisis has brought “extreme” workplace disturbances, with employees now starting to have a different perspective on the role of work in their lives.

About two in five of surveyed workers, or 42%, and more than half of surveyed managers believe they are yet to experience the most significant impacts of the pandemic on the workforce.

Around two million workers are very likely to consider leaving their organisation in the next 6-12 months, Allianz says.

The insurer has defined the emerging trend of employee disruption as The Workplace Wave, a long-term effect from the pandemic that employers did not consider and are currently experiencing.

“Organisations that fail to respond to The Workplace Wave are likely to see increased levels of employee burnout and an increase in talent turnover – all of which can lead to higher rates of workplace mental health injuries,” the insurer says.

Allianz says the pandemic continues to have an impact on workers’ compensation claims, with its data showing a 17% rise in mental health claims since pre-covid.

And overall primary psychological underwritten workers’ compensation claims were responsible for 26,600 employee leave days in the 2021/22 financial year, an increase of 19% since 2019.

“Despite emerging from the depths of the pandemic, the disruption to workplaces has not subsided,” Chief GM of Personal Injury Julie Mitchell said.

“Employees have emerged with refreshed values and a change in how they are approaching work, prompting the emergence of concepts like ‘the right to disconnect’, ‘loud leaving’, ‘quiet quitting’, and ‘acting your wage’.”

The research also found a range of concerns that are affecting job satisfaction. About 42% of employees cite fatigue and burnout for feeling unsatisfied, 34% linked it to staff shortages and 31% say it is because they are not being adequately rewarded.

However 53% of managers surveyed believe their company has gone above and beyond to provide support and systems to create mentally healthy workplaces.

“The relationship between employee and leader has become more important than ever before,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Organisations need to ensure that the tone from the top is very much aligned with the behaviours leaders want to see throughout the business.”

Allianz says the survey is based on a nationally representative sample of 1550 employees and 506 managers carried out last month by YouGov.

Click here for The Workplace Wave.