Half of workers ‘would rather quit’

than deal with office tension

ALMOST half of Australian workers would rather quit a job than deal with office tension, a survey shows.

The poll, commissioned by suicide prevention group RU OK?, found bosses often lack the skills to discuss difficult issues.

This is also adversely affecting the mental health of employees, to the point where 46 per cent of people surveyed would rather seek a new job than deal with a workplace issue.

A similar proportion will take a day off when work becomes unpleasant.

The Centre for Corporate Health, which carried

“We know that once a workplace conflict occurs and if it is not dealt with quickly and appropriately, there is a much higher chance of employees developing psychological problems at work,” says the centre’s director of psychological services Rachel Clements.

Two-thirds of the 1554 people surveyed said they are unhappy with their managers while 82 per cent said they feel uncomfortable approaching human resources about a workplace problem.

RU OK? Foundation chief executive, Janina Nearn, says workplace conflict will escalate unless “seemingly small” issues are addressed.