A new Ipsos report titled ‘What Australia Thinks, Feels and Does at Work’ has shed light on the shifting priorities of Australian workers as we move into 2024.

According to the report, 72% of Australian workers experience a positive workplace culture, and 67% would recommend their organisation to others. However, nearly a third (28%) reported a negative workplace culture, describing their workplaces as ‘hierarchical’, ‘controlling’ and ‘bureaucratic’, with long working hours.

“Australian workplaces have significantly shifted their priorities post-pandemic, in an attempt to retain their workforce. The worker of 2024 is committed to achieving a work/life balance and is looking for an employer who understands and supports this balance. Organisations that continue to drive positive workplace culture from the top down will be most successful in 2024 in both attracting new staff and retaining talent,” says Ipsos Australia Employee Experience Director, Wendy McInnes.

Interestingly, 38% of workers planning to leave their current employer in less than 12 months attribute their decision to feeling underappreciated and invisible in their role. When considering a new job, 63% of respondents said the most important factor was pay/benefits, while 44% prioritised flexible working opportunities.

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues, workplaces will need to review their pay/benefits packages to remain competitive, as Australians seek out roles with higher salaries to offset their rising mortgage and other financial costs. Additionally, flexible working arrangements continue to be a key employment driver and remain a critical part of overall workplace operations,” McInnes adds.

Nearly seven in 10 Australians are proud to work for their organisation, and nearly a quarter plan to stay with their current employer for the next three to five years.

“This study highlights the need by Australian employers to tackle young or new starter attrition, and the associated costs. There is also a need to deepen the experience of an open, trusting and listening culture – all of which are factors critical to driving workforce engagement and performance,” says CEO of Ipsos Karian and Box, Ghassan Karian.

The survey was conducted online among a representative sample of 1,000 Australian employees in December 2023.