Most Common Workplace Stressors in Australia Have One Simple Solution

Work-related stress can affect anyone, and in Australia, several common factors are known to contribute to burnout, anxiety, and reduced productivity. Below are the top workplace stressors. And here is the one powerful first step to tackle all of them: talk. 

Common Stressors

1. Heavy Workload
   Managing an excessive number of tasks or responsibilities can lead to fatigue, reduced productivity, and mental exhaustion.

2. Tight Deadlines
   Consistently working under intense time pressure can create ongoing stress and impact work quality.

3. Lack of Autonomy
   Limited ability to influence how work is done or make decisions can leave employees feeling disempowered.

4. Poor Work Environment
   Exposure to unsafe, uncomfortable, or unpleasant physical conditions (e.g. noise, temperature, layout) can negatively affect mental and physical well-being.

5. Job Insecurity
   Uncertainty about employment stability, such as during restructures or downsizing, can create significant emotional strain.
6. Interpersonal Conflict
   Tense or difficult relationships with colleagues or managers can impact morale and mental health.

7. Unclear Role Expectations
   Ambiguity around responsibilities or performance expectations creates confusion and pressure.

8. Long Working Hours
   Regularly working extended hours disrupts work-life balance and can lead to burnout.

9. Insufficient Support from Management
   A lack of guidance, feedback, or access to resources can leave employees feeling isolated.

10. Poor Work-Life Balance
    Difficulty managing work alongside personal responsibilities can erode overall well-being.

The Simple Solution

A very simple number 1 solution to each problem: talk.

Stress is real, but manageable. A conversation can be the turning point.

Do not suffer alone, do not suffer in silence, do not swallow your feelings. It helps to tell someone that you’re struggling with stress, whether that’s a manager or a coworker. The simple act of telling someone will release some of the stress, it will bring some order to your mind, and the other person may be able to help you or point you to someone who can.

• Consider outcomes you’d like to see. Before you go speak with a manager, have a few ideas of what a resolution would look like. You may get a chance to offer them as a solution.
• Know the specific source of stress. If it’s a specific person, a shift, or tasks that are more than you can handle, be ready to coherently state your case. It’s hard for a manager to hear “I’m stressed!” and know what to do to relieve it if they don’t know the specific things causing it.
• Be ready to discuss collateral effects. If you know others are similarly stressed, let your manager know. Not everyone has the courage to speak up, but if others remain stressed, it will seep into all workers.
• Use blame-free language. Be selective with the words you use, and avoid blaming others. Phrase things as they relate to you. For example, “I’m struggling with meeting my sales goals” instead of “James makes it impossible for me to meet my sales goals.”
• Ask for specific solutions. If you just need to unload and have a counselling session, your manager may not be the best person to go to. But if you’re really looking for solutions, don’t leave the meeting without having some specific things you can do or expect to help change the stressful situation you’re facing.

You don’t have to carry it alone. It’s not a shameful thing that you’re stressed. It’s worse if you don’t get help and let it build. Holding on to stress is physically and mentally unhelpful. Managers would rather employees come and tell them they were having stress issues on the job, than find out through missed deadlines or low productivity, or worse. 

Final advice

At Lawson Delaney, we believe that every professional deserves to work in an environment where they feel supported, heard, and empowered to succeed. Stress is part of modern work life, but it should never be ignored or normalised. Speaking up early and constructively is a courageous and often transformational act. If you’re feeling the pressure, remember: you’re not alone, and solutions often begin with a simple, honest conversation.

Let’s normalise talking about stress and create healthier, more sustainable workplaces for everyone. If you’re looking for career advice or thinking about leaving your current job, contact us for a confidential discussion.