How workers are feeling Post-Pandemic

In our first ‘normal’ year post-COVID, Australians are feeling less connected, valued and included at work. But organisations focused on diversity and inclusion are bucking the trend, according to a major new study into employee attitudes.

Research by Diversity Council Australia Ltd found in 2023, nearly one in five employees did not feel valued, respected or able to contribute and progress in their jobs, a figure that has doubled since 2019, The Australian reports.

The biennial study found workers were feeling disillusioned post-COVID, with discrimination, harassment and other forms of workplace exclusion on the rise, a reversal of the trend experienced during the pandemic.

Workers said their bosses did not behave inclusively, with 27% saying their managers did not value differences, provide fair treatment or deal with inappropriate conduct. The data also showed cases of discrimination and harassment rose 8% to 30% between 2021 and 2023.

"Workplaces are adjusting to the latest 'new normal', grappling with questions around flexible working, AI technology, inflationary pressures and growing skills shortages," DCA chief executive Lisa Annese said.

"Meanwhile, employees are still processing the trauma and disruption of the past few years, fuelling a growing disillusionment with traditional working arrangements."

The data revealed nearly 1 in 5 (19%) Australian workers didn’t feel valued, respected or able to contribute and progress at work in 2023, a figure that has nearly doubled since 2019.

Likewise, more workers feel their manager does not behave inclusively, with 27% reporting their managers did not value differences, treat everyone fairly or deal with inappropriate behaviour, a 9% increase from 18% in 2021 and up 6% from 21% in 2019.

Worryingly, discrimination and harassment are also on the rise with nearly 1 in 3 (30%) workers experiencing discrimination and/or harassment at work in 2023, up by 8% from 22% in 2021, and 4% higher than the pre-pandemic figure of 26% in 2019.

Workers who indicated their organisation is taking action to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace were twice as likely to belong to an inclusive team and have an inclusive manager, and nearly twice as likely to report their work has a positive effect on their mental health. On top of this, they are also more than twice as likely to provide excellent customer service, collaborate effectively, innovatively solve problems, and work extra hard.

“While many behave as though the global pandemic is firmly behind us, Australians are still recovering from the shared trauma of these past few years,” DCA CEO Lisa Annese said.