Nearly half of Australia’s workforce is likely to be looking for a new job in the next 12 months – as workplaces across the country struggle to renew in time to cope with modern challenges.

The Snapshot of Australian Workplaces is a national survey of 1,000 Australians including full and part-time workers and the self-employed. It was commissioned by Reventure Ltd, a not-for-profit global think-tank with the mission to undertake research, encourage debate, and lead action for workplace renewal.

“The 2016 Snapshot of Australian Workplaces has clearly identified job satisfaction, technology, productivity, and general health/life as the most significant issues confronting Australian workplaces,” said Reventure’s lead researcher, Dr Lindsay McMillan.

“Workplaces which are engaging with these challenges have happier, healthier and more engaged staff with higher levels of commitment and productivity – unfortunately, the majority which are not engaged are in a vicious cycle impacting on stability, commitment and productivity.

“The result is that 49% of those surveyed say they will be definitely or probably looking for a new job in the coming year.”

“We need to respond more effectively and at a faster pace. This is the first ever national campaign aimed at engaging with business leaders, employers, employees, consultants and contractors and encouraging them to focus on renewing their own workplaces,” said Dr McMillan.

“Over the next few years we will undertake more research into potential solutions to better engage employees, to lead with inspiration and to increase the healthiness of our workplaces, which generates higher productivity and economic benefits for the whole community.”