Australian business leaders increasingly understand the importance of human skills, like mindfulness and empathy, but don’t have confidence in their ability to manage with those skills, according to a major new global report.

HP Inc. today released the second annual HP Work Relationship Index (WRI), a comprehensive study that explores the world’s relationship with work.

The study, which surveyed 15,600 respondents across industries in 12 countries, reveals that work is not really working with only 27% of Australian knowledge workers having a healthy relationship with work, one-point below the global average.

While at the global scale, the index showed little change, Australia saw an increase in its individual work relationship index, with slight improvements across the six key drivers of a healthy relationship with work – most notably in the Leadership, followed by Fulfillment and Skills drivers. 

This year’s index – both global and Australian – revealed that trust in senior leadership remains a critical factor in a healthy work relationship, but there is a disconnect between the recognition of the importance of human skills (e.g., mindfulness, self-awareness, communication, creative-thinking, resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence) and leaders’ confidence to deliver: 

The survey revealed Australian workers had the third largest year-over-year increase in WRI, rising five points from last year, following the US and Indonesia.  

“As the expectations of work evolve, trust in leadership remains paramount in fostering a positive work relationship,” said Bradley Pulford, Managing Director of HP Australia.

“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.” 

Personalised Work Experiences Can Lead to Healthier Relationships with Work  

In its second year, the study continued to analyse aspects of people’s relationships with work, including the role of work in their lives, their skills, abilities, tools, workspaces and their expectations of leadership. This year, WRI reveals a major need from Australian knowledge workers: personalised work experiences.  

More than two-thirds of Australian knowledge workers expressed a desire for personalised work experiences, including tailored workspaces, access to preferred technologies and flexible working environments. This desire for personalisation is so strong that they are willing to give up their salary for it: 

• 92% of knowledge workers in Australia are willing to forgo a portion of their salary for a more personalised work experience. 

• On average, they are willing to give up 13% of their salary to work when or where they want, or to enjoy above average work-life balance.  

• Additionally, they are willing to forgo 12% of their salary for a workplace that offers more tailored or customised options that suit their working preference.  

Personalised work experiences are seen as crucial for improving the relationship with work, with 72% of Australian knowledge workers say personalisation would improve their relationship with work, and 68% believe it would enhance their overall well-being and incentivise them to stay with their current employers longer.  

AI Opens New Opportunities for Knowledge Workers to Enjoy Work and Improve Productivity 

The research also identified two potential solutions to improve relationships with work: AI and personalised work experiences.  

AI usage among knowledge workers in Australia has surged to 69% in 2024, up from 32% last year. Australian usage of AI is also slightly higher than the global average of 66%. Workers who use AI are seeing the benefits and how it can contribute to their relationships with work: 

• 59% state that AI plays a key role in improving their work-life balance. 

• 67% say AI opens up new opportunities for them to enjoy work.