Running in its second year in Australia, the Survey is the first science-backed workplace survey across the country that examines employee lifestyle, clinical indicators, stress and mental health, to understand the associated impact on wellbeing and productivity.
The Healthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality this year surveyed 36 employers and nearly 3000 employees in Australia. Legal firm Ashurst was named as Healthiest Workplace in the large organisation category; super fund CSC won in the medium organisation category while financial planning firm Announcer was declared the Healthiest among the small organisations which took part in this year’s Survey.[1]
The CEO of AIA Australia and New Zealand, Damien Mu said: “We believe that promoting employee health and wellbeing is of critical importance to companies of all sizes. Corporate Australia must play a leading role in tackling issues of wellbeing in the workplace, enabling a supportive culture and ensuring that employee health is always front of mind.”
While the sample of surveyed employers and employees differed, many 2018 key findings showed only slight variations versus 2017, for example:
- 15.9% (2017: 16.2%) of Australians are exceeding the national alcohol consumption guidelines;
- 54.1 % (2017: 57.7%) of Australians are not eating a healthy diet;
- 26.9% (2017: 25.9%) of employees are sleeping less than 7 hours per night;
- 53.2% (2017: 54.1%) of respondents are subject to at least one dimension of work related stress;
- Australians’ AIA Vitality age (a scientific measure of someone’s health, based on all aspects of health including exercise, nutrition and stress) is 3.5 years older (2017: 3.4) than their biological age
Based on the responses to the 2018 Survey, absenteeism and presenteeism resulted in about 48 days of lost productivity per employee per year, potentially costing participating businesses an average of more than $11 million[2]. Mu explained: “In the long-term, organisations that take positive steps to identify and address risks to employee health will undoubtedly improve business performance through boosting the engagement and productivity of their workforce.” He added: “The results will provide employers with useful insights to inform strategies to improve health and wellbeing in their company, resulting in a healthier workplace. Ultimately this will help people to lead healthier, longer, better lives. Insights from the data will also support us championing Australia to become the healthiest and most protected nation in the world.”
The Healthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality Survey is being conducted by RAND Europe and preeminent academic institutions from around the region. It models on the success of Britain’s Healthiest Workplace, launched in 2013, which has surveyed over 100,000 employees and 400 employers.
More information about AIA Vitality can be found on the AIA Vitality website. Preparations for Australia’s Healthiest Workplace by AIA Vitality in 2019 are well underway, and registrations are open here. Employers who would like to learn more about participating can email au.healthiestworkplace@AIA.COM.
Winners 2018:
Australia’s Healthiest Workplace: Small – Announcer; Medium – CSC; Large – Ashurst
Australia’s Healthiest Employer: Small – Announcer; Medium – CSC; Large – Ashurst
Australia’s Healthiest Employees: Small – Announcer; Medium – Abbott; Large – Ashurst
Most improved: Small – Profusion; Large - Mercer
[1]A list of all winners in the small, medium and large organisations’ categories is included at the end of this media release.
[2]This estimate is extrapolated from the employees who completed the survey, and is based on their self-reported absence and presenteeism during the week prior to the survey. Source: Australia’s Healthiest Workplace 2018.
Contact:
Ingrid Nienaber, AIA Australia
E: Ingrid.Nienaber@aia.com
T: +613 9009 4143
Jay Harkness, AIA New Zealand
E: Jay.Harkness@aia.com
T: +64 27 836 2533
About AIA Australia
AIA Australia is a leading independent life insurance specialist with over 45 years’ experience. With a unique customer value proposition focused on life, health and wellbeing, our purpose is to make a difference in people’s lives.
AIA Australia offers a range of products that protect and enhance the lives of more than four million Australians. Our vision is to deliver shared value in championing Australia and New Zealand to be the healthiest and most protected nations in the world. With AIA Vitality – the world’s leading science-backed health and wellbeing program – we help members to live healthier, longer, better lives.
AIA Australia has been recognised with multiple awards, including being named ANZIIF Life Insurance Company of the Year (2017, 2015, 2013, 2012).
About RAND Europe
RAND Europe is a not-for-profit organisation that helps to improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. Its clients include European institutions, governments, charities, foundations, universities and private sector firms with a need for impartial research. RAND Europe combines deep subject knowledge across diverse policy areas including health, science and innovation; defence, security and infrastructure; and home affairs and social policy. Combined with proven methodological expertise in evaluation, impact measurement and choice modelling, it is able to offer quality-assured research and analysis, unbiased insights and actionable solutions that make a difference to people’s lives.
