What does workplace culture mean to Australian employees and organisations, and what does it look like in practice? At Exclaim IT, we’ve recently sought answers to these questions and more, as part of our Impact of Workplace Culture in Australian Tech Survey. What we’ve uncovered is an illuminating glimpse into the aspirations, challenges and opportunities within Australian workplace culture.
If you’re looking for inspiration and guidance on how to improve workplace culture within your organisation, need data points to guide your IT recruitment strategy, or are just plain curious, here are highlights of our findings.
Core Themes in Australian Workplace Culture
Our survey canvassed more than 300 professionals across Australia’s private and public sectors, mostly in technology jobs. The key issues and motifs that emerged include the quality of communication at work, work-life balance, diversity and inclusion, and job satisfaction. All factors are intertwined within workplace cultures, either directly influencing them or influenced by them.
The Winds of Change
Historical context is significant here. Most respondents (employees: 56% and employers: 68%) agreed that emphasis on workplace culture issues has increased in recent years. The pandemic served as the catalyst for a raft of changes, many of them positive.
Heightened regard for employee morale, more awareness of mental health and physical well-being, emphasis on diversity and inclusion, and more flexible work options, are all part of this historic shift.
But what does culture look like up close for Australian organisations? We dug a little further to find out more.
Communication and Leadership
One of the key insights of our survey is that communication and leadership remain key areas for improvement. The good news? Change is already underway, and organisations are beating a clearer path to improvement.
A striking 88% of employees said workplace culture plays a significant role in communication and transparency within an organisation. If there’s one quick win worth devoting energy to, it’s improving communication across the board.
Employers and employees agreed on the importance of many aspects of workplace culture, although they didn’t see eye-to-eye on all of them. Strong leadership topped the list of the most important workplace culture factors for employers. For employees, however, it ranked second last. This disconnect suggests that while leadership is, of course, essential, employees are looking for other factors to define a positive culture as well.
What Supports and Frustrates Employees
Our survey confirms culture isn’t an afterthought for Aussie professionals. The workplace culture that employees find themselves in directly impacts their productivity, morale – and retention. As tech recruiters, we’ve seen up close how these issues can affect an organisation’s IT recruitment effectiveness and efficiency.
A toxic environment, poor leadership, lack of communication, and work-life imbalance were the top reasons employees felt unproductive or even left their roles. In fact, 73% of employees and 78% of employers admitted to quitting a job due to poor cultural fit.
On the flip side, organisations that prioritise work-life balance, respect, communication, and growth opportunities see a clear boost in employee satisfaction and engagement. It’s no surprise that 84% of employees ranked work-life balance as the most important cultural factor, followed by a respectful and inclusive environment (76%) and clear communication channels (74%).
Interestingly, while reward and recognition for employees is often cited as crucial in HR literature, it landed in last place (47%), suggesting that meaningful culture improvements go beyond perks and praise. Of course, we don’t recommend organisations start skimping on reward and recognition, either!
The most frequently mentioned workplace challenges? Toxicity, poor communication, micromanagement, and lack of direction. The message is clear: get culture right, and both morale and productivity follow.
Get it wrong, and people won’t stick around to wait for change.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion remain both a top priority and a challenge for Australian workplaces. Sure, many organisations have made strides in creating inclusive environments. But there’s still work to be done to turn policies into meaningful change.
On the positive side, more than half of workplaces have implemented inclusive policies, procedures and diversity training programs. Half (52%) of employers told us they’ve adopted diverse hiring practices, which is an encouraging sign of long-term dedication to equity in the workplace.
The reality on the ground suggests the story can be more complex at times. More than half (62%) of employees and 55% of employers have personally witnessed discrimination or harassment in the workplace. The diversity and inclusion-focused policies organisations have in place don’t always lead to behavioural change.
The takeaway? For genuine progress towards diversity and inclusion, policies are just the foundation. Accountability and commitment from leadership are also necessary for meaningful change.
Looking Towards a Better Future
So far, we’ve focused on the shortcomings of workplace cultures, but it’s equally important to acknowledge the progress already being made. Employees overwhelmingly told us that the very aspects they want to see improved – like communication, team-building, and diversity initiatives – are already in motion. Employers, too, recognise the need for change, with many investing in inclusive leadership and diversity training to build fairer workplaces.
Access More Insights
Australian workplace culture has come a long way and continues to evolve. Sure, persistent challenges remain, but the steps being taken today are shaping a more inclusive and productive future. Our survey offers deeper insights into what’s working, what’s not, and what businesses can do next.
For a full breakdown of the findings and actionable strategies on how to improve workplace culture, request your copy of the report here. Whether you’re searching for technology jobs, leading a team, or focused on IT recruitment, understanding these trends can help you build a happier and high-performing workplace.
Get in touch with Exclaim IT today for tailored advice and support in building your team or finding a new role.
