Australian employees find it hard to stay productive in summer: Survey

Australian workers experience a noticeable dip in productivity during the summer months, with many continuing to engage with work even while on holiday, according to a recent survey by Dayforce. The survey, conducted by Harris Poll, revealed that nearly half (45%) of employees acknowledge a drop in productivity when the weather heats up, a trend exacerbated by workers' increasing reluctance to fully disconnect from work.

The findings show that a significant number of employees feel the urge to check their work emails while on vacation, with over 60% admitting they don’t fully disconnect during their summer breaks. This behavior could be attributed to workplace culture, as the survey also found that 39% of workers tend to slack off when their boss is away on holiday, indicating that many employees feel less motivated in the absence of direct oversight.

Despite these challenges, many organizations are attempting to counteract the seasonal slump in productivity by offering various forms of flexibility. According to the survey, 60% of workers reported that their employers provide some level of summer flexibility. This includes flexible work hours (35%), more options to work from home (26%), and the ability to work from different locations (21%). These adjustments aim to keep employees engaged and help them manage the pressures of balancing work with personal time, particularly during the warmer months.

"To perhaps beat summer slacking and keep employees engaged during the warmer months, six in ten employees say their employer has some form of summer flexibility," the survey notes. These measures, while well-received, have limitations. Despite the availability of flexible work options, almost half (49%) of employees indicated they were unable to take full advantage of these benefits due to various constraints, such as workload or other personal commitments.

Moreover, the survey highlighted several concerns surrounding flexible work arrangements. While 86% of employees with access to such flexibility agree that these measures help reduce burnout, 81% pointed out challenges like reduced productivity when colleagues are less available (34%), frustration from being too busy (28%), and disruptions to their daily routines (26%).

Financial pressures also play a significant role in employees’ ability to take advantage of summer breaks. A quarter of workers (26%) expressed concerns over their inability to afford holidays due to cost-of-living pressures, which limits their ability to fully unwind and recharge. This financial strain reflects broader economic trends, which have seen rising living costs impacting workers' spending power.

The survey also found that Australians are increasingly opting for shorter breaks throughout the year instead of long summer holidays. 74% of workers prefer taking smaller breaks more frequently, and many choose to extend time off during public holidays or around key seasonal events like Australia Day. The survey revealed that 61% of employees prefer longer breaks during the winter months, which may offer better opportunities to disconnect and recharge.

In light of these findings, employers looking to maximize the benefits of flexible work policies are encouraged to ensure clear communication of these policies. It is essential for companies to secure managerial support, understand the unique needs of their teams, and regularly assess the effectiveness of these strategies through employee feedback and utilization rates.

The survey, which was conducted online by Harris Poll in Australia from October 28 to October 30, 2024, included responses from 456 full-time employed Australian adults aged 18 and older. The results are considered accurate to within a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percentage points, at a 95% confidence level.