Growing divide: Middle managers vs. leaders in Australia

A recent study by Perkbox Australia indicates a significant divide between middle management and business leaders in Australian companies, exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The survey, which polled over 1,000 managers across the country, revealed substantial concerns over increased workloads, a profit-first mentality, and a lack of support for team well-being.

According to the study, 63% of the respondents believe there is a growing disconnect between middle management and senior leadership within their organisations. A considerable 69% of managers attribute this gap to business leaders being overly detached from daily operations and neglecting the rising stress levels faced by employees. A more severe finding shows that 73% of managers think their leaders prioritise profit margins over employee welfare.

Additionally, 77% of managers are reportedly being asked to accomplish more tasks with fewer resources, leading to heightened pressure and deteriorating mental health. Consequently, 68% of managers stated that their mental well-being had deteriorated due to increased role pressures. This stress is not only on individual managers but also on their capacity to support their teams. Over half (52%) of those surveyed noted a decline in their ability to care for their team over the past year, despite 90% of them feeling directly responsible for their team members' physical and mental well-being.

The study also highlights potential challenges in manager retention, with 42% of respondents considering leaving their current roles if working conditions do not improve. This statistic underscores the urgency for companies to address the well-being and support of their middle management promptly.

Doug Butler, the CEO of Perkbox, commented on the findings: "Managers help companies function effectively, and our research shows that their roles are expanding during this period of economic uncertainty to often include supporting the wellbeing of their employees. This study should serve as a wake-up call to business and human resources leaders to focus on the support they have in place for their managers, and how best to equip and empower them to care for and celebrate their employees."

The research also touches on other aspects of managerial stress. A majority of managers (71%) feel their teams now require more guidance on non-work-related issues, particularly those related to managing the rising cost of living, compared to a year ago. Furthermore, 80% of managers have voiced concerns over the increasing pressures stemming from these economic challenges. In an effort to mitigate these difficulties, 84% of respondents have proactively sought to upskill themselves to better handle challenging team situations.