Lifestyle changes brought by the shift to working from home are causing the health of many workers to deteriorate, likely through the reduction of the physical effort involved in commuting, and increased snacking, a study of nearly 4,000 workers shows.
Unions have stressed that reproductive health conditions like endometriosis are WHS matters, in applauding new reproductive health leave entitlements announced yesterday.
Employers have been reminded of their WHS duties to pregnant and parent workers, and urged to make ergonomic adjustments where needed, after a major project found these workers continue to face "vast discrimination, disadvantage, and bias".
A Medibank trial giving workers "the gift" of time recouped from fewer meetings, more autonomy and saying no to less-value work, has decreased stress levels and significantly reduced sick leave in some workers, according to a senior executive.
Workers with flexible arrangements are far more likely than those with set hours to suffer from insomnia, according to researchers, who suggest more thought needs to go into allocating resources and curtailing demands.
With 73 per cent of people reporting higher stress and anxiety levels during menopause, becoming a menopause-friendly workplace through education, flexible workplace policies and open conversation will not only support women through this normal life stage, but help the employer meet its WHS duties, according to a commercial health expert.
Menopause often causes "debilitating" symptoms in workers in one of the fastest growing employment groups, and the synonymous hot flushes and night sweats have the least impact, according to a study that also identifies the two most valuable workplace supports. Another study has identified widespread discrimination against pregnant workers.
Older workers report higher stress levels than their younger colleagues, and are more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain, when the number of days they spend working from home exceeds their preferences, an Australian study has found.
A four-day work week can be a "game changer" for employee wellbeing and productivity, but employers need to "do their homework" on tailoring it to safely fit their workplaces, a senior business and management academic says.
Employers should be arming managers against the myths, misconceptions and stereotypes around the ability of workers to work safely as they age, an organisational psychologist specialising in workplace transitions has advised.