AI use rises among Australian workers, enhances work-life balance

HP has released its second annual Work Relationship Index (WRI) report, providing insights into the relationship between employees and work across 12 countries, including Australia.

The report, which surveyed 15,600 respondents, reveals that only 27% of Australian workers have a healthy relationship with work. This represents a slight improvement, with a five-point increase from the previous year.

The research highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, with AI usage among Australian knowledge workers increasing significantly. In 2024, 69% of these workers engaged with AI, a stark rise from 32% in the previous year and slightly above the global average of 66%.

The findings suggest that AI is instrumental in enhancing work life, with 59% of Australian respondents stating that AI has improved their work-life balance. Additionally, 67% believe that AI provides new ways to enjoy work.

The report underscores the importance of personalised work experiences, with a considerable majority of Australian knowledge workers expressing a desire for such tailoring in their professional environments. More than two-thirds of these workers wish for personalised workspaces and flexible work settings.

This preference for customisation is so pronounced that 92% are willing to sacrifice a portion of their income to achieve a more personalised workplace, with an average willingness to forego 13% of their salary.

Despite these findings, challenges remain. A substantial portion of knowledge workers using AI, about 27%, report a lack of adequate training offered by their companies. Additionally, fear of AI replacing jobs persists, rising by 7% compared to last year, with 38% of non-AI users expressing this concern. This indicates a significant need for organisations to bridge the training gap and manage AI-related anxieties to harness the full potential of AI in the workplace effectively.

Trust in leadership emerges as a critical factor influencing work relationships. While many Australian business leaders recognize the importance of empathy, with 91% acknowledging its benefits, only 38% feel confident in their human skills. This discrepancy extends to employees, with only 26% observing consistent demonstrations of empathy from their leaders, despite 73% valuing such emotional intelligence from their superiors.

The study also highlights female leaders positively, as they reportedly exhibit greater confidence than their male counterparts in both hard skills and human skills. On average, female leaders are 9-points more confident in technical skills and 2-points more confident in human skills, marking a promising trend towards balanced leadership.

Commenting on the findings, Bradley Pulford, Managing Director of HP Australia, noted, "As the expectations of work evolve, trust in leadership remains paramount in fostering a positive work relationship. Personalised responses to work have become the norm, and the integration of AI is a powerful catalyst for business transformation. Business leaders must be empathetic, understanding how these advancements can enhance employee wellbeing, growth, and commitment, thereby cultivating a culture where creativity and productivity thrive."

The report suggests that addressing these gaps and harnessing the potential of AI and personalised work experiences could significantly improve Australians' relationship with work. Moving forward, the emphasis on training and empathetic leadership will be essential to adapting to these evolving work dynamics.