SURVEY INTO WORKPLACE STRESS REVEALS HUMAN COST OF UNIVERSITY FUNDING CRISIS
The survey, to be launched in Sydney on Thursday, draws on over 8,000 academic and general staff in 17 universities nationally. It records the highest levels of psychological strain among academic staff, particularly those at intermediate levels.“In recent years cuts to Government funding have resulted in increased workloads for many academics,” said Professor Tony Winefield. “Many academics now experience excessive working hours, lack of resources, high student to staff ratios and growing job insecurity.”
“This survey provides graphic proof of the human costs of the funding crisis facing Australia’s higher education sector,” said Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU President.
“The health impacts of workplace stress range from sleeping disorders and headaches, to more serious problems such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. One of the key drivers for increased stress is excessive working hours. In an alarming discovery, approximately 30% of academic staff in the survey reported working more than 55 hours a week, that is more than 11 hours a day. An international study of work related stress in Japan showed that men who work 11 hours or more per day have a risk of heart attack that is 2.5 times that of men working an 8 hour day. “
“This situation is bad for the individuals and their families, bad for universities and bad for the wider economy due to increased absenteeism, staff turnover, stress-related injuries and student dissatisfaction, which all ultimately reduce the productivity of the tertiary education sector.”
“It is of great concern that much of the university workforce is under such strain, especially given the valuable work universities do, including training professionals and carrying out cutting edge research,” said Professor Winefield.
“The release of this survey is particularly timely given the Government’s review into higher education,” said Dr Allport. “It is vital that this review examine the survey’s recommendations, including the need to review staff teaching and research workloads, reduce staff to student ratios and provide greater job security.
“If anything is really going to change, however, what is needed most of all is a commitment from the Government to reinvesting dollars into tertiary education.”
FOR COMMENT
Dr Carolyn Allport, NTEU National President Tel: 03 9254 1910, Mob: 0419 349 064
MEDIA LAUNCH
Professor Paul Martin, President of the Australian Psychological Society, will officially launch the survey at 11am Thursday, July 4, in the Jubilee Room, NSW Parliament House. Copies of the report will be available at the launch or can be obtained by following the path;
Policy/Current Issues/Occupational Stress in Australian Universities