In a submission to the Productivity Commission that sends a strong message to employers, Australian National University researchers have highlighted the link between unpredictable working hours and occupational injuries, musculoskeletal disorders and poor health.
National Mental Health Commission chair Professor Allan Fels has called for employers to prioritise reducing the "huge impact" of mental ill health on productivity, and released a major report outlining six strategies for creating mentally healthy workplaces.
Employers are being urged to redesign roles to make them more challenging and flexible, after European researchers found job boredom increases the likelihood of poor health and high turnover.
Allowing work emails to be sent after hours or mismanaging structural change can contribute to mentally unhealthy work environments, the chair of the Mental Health Council of Australia has warned.
A new report released in conjunction with national Go Home on Time Day - which is today - has found millions of Australian workers aren't taking regular lunch breaks or annual leave - and it's "making us sick".
Employers can reduce workplace stress levels by giving employees the same flexibility as managers to "adjust their work" when they feel "out of sorts", according to Swedish researchers.
