Two-thirds of white-collar professionals (60%) have admitted to ‘rage applying’ to a new job since the beginning of the year – with a toxic workplace culture (65%) being the primary motivating factor. The trend ‘rage applying’ occurs when professionals retaliate to a bad day at work by firing out multiple applications to new job roles. Of those who admitted to rage applying in the past six months, almost half (47%) stated that they had applied to multiple new roles within a short space of time. The findings come from recent research by recruitment specialists Robert Walters of over 2,000 Australian professionals.
Key Findings:
- 2 in 3 admit to ‘rage applying’ to numerous roles, out of frustration with employer
- Over half of workers say a ‘toxic culture’ is the leading reason for them rage applying
- A fifth state that a lack of work life balance is driving them to apply elsewhere
Toxic workplaces to blame
The leading issue provoking rage-appliers is a toxic workplace culture – with over half (65%) of professionals stating this was the primary reason they took to the keyboard to apply for new jobs. A fifth of workers blamed poor work-life balance (20%), followed by an unmanageable workload (13%). Just 3% said that a disagreement with management led to them rage applying in the past six months.
Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters ANZ said; “It’s rather intriguing to observe that this surge in job applications is not primarily motivated by factors such as salary or career advancement. Rather, it seems to stem from the work environment and policies, which lie entirely within the employer’s control. Identifying toxic workplace cultures isn’t always a simple task, yet it can profoundly affect the mental well-being, morale, and creativity of employees.”
Problem with the culture
According to the research by Robert Walters, working within an inspiring company culture is the number one thing that attracts professionals to a job advert – ahead of flexible work and enhanced benefits packages. As Gen Z enter the workforce we should expect to see this focus on work life balance increase.
Peters added, “As we embrace the arrival of more Gen Z individuals into the workforce, it’s crucial for employers to recognise that the priorities of employees are evolving. While salaries may have once reigned supreme as the primary driving force, Gen Z is considerably more concerned about the office culture and working policies.”
How to enhance a challenging work environment:
- Elevate its importance in your management’s agenda – ensure that managers fully understand that fostering team morale and cultivating a positive work environment is a fundamental aspect of their role. Business leaders should consistently raise this topic in management meetings, while also inquiring about the initiatives and activities implemented to promote inclusivity over the past month.
- Introduce anonymous feedback surveys – a relatively straightforward initiative that regrettably remains underutilised by employers. Obtain genuine insights into how your employees truly feel by asking open-ended questions regarding the company culture. Dedicate sufficient time to thoroughly review all comments and gain valuable insights into the root causes of any existing issues.
- Allocate resources – developing a conducive culture requires investment. The reality is that the workplace comprises individuals brought together based on their diverse skill sets, not necessarily because they would naturally form close friendships. Consequently, companies need to proactively invest time and resources into creating a friendly, social, and inclusive environment, as these elements rarely materialise by chance.
