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Under pressure
Photo : Kylie Cork
Survey reveals high level of work-related stress at SCU .
By Emilie Lauer
More than 80 per cent of Southern Cross University staff have reported experiencing psychosocial hazards resulting in high levels of stress and a decline in wellbeing , a union survey has found .
A workplace survey recently conducted by the National Tertiary Education Union found SCU ’ s staff experienced high levels of stress attributed to an increasing workload and a ‘ negative ’ workplace culture .
“ We had been responding to regular negative reports from our members [...] but the survey results presented an even worse situation than we had imagined ,” NTEU NSW assistant secretary Vince Caughley said .
About 82 per cent of SCU staff reported ‘ often ’ or ‘ always ’ experiencing psychosocial hazards , and more than half of them said they would seek medical advice for work-related stress .
Two-thirds of respondents rated the workplace culture ‘ negative ’ or ‘ extremely negative ’, and 36 per cent said they ’ re likely or very likely to resign from the university .
“ These figures make for some pretty upsetting reading and they really point to a workforce that has reached its limits and is at risk ,” Caughley told Campus Review .
The union said the survey , which also collected qualitative data , highlighted that staff felt bullied and pressured by management to do additional tasks on top of their workload .
“ We have had comments from staff saying that they have called Lifeline from their desk at work ; this is really serious and it really needs to be addressed urgently and thoroughly by Southern Cross management ,” Caughley said .
According to the NTEU , in addition to the poor relationship with management , another reason contributing to high levels of stress is the six by six teaching model put forward by SCU , where subjects are delivered in six blocks of six weeks rather than by semesters .
Two-thirds of the surveyed academic staff said they were unable to complete all their work within the allocated hours , often resulting in finishing their tasks on the weekend or in the evening .
A current SCU academic staff member said the workload is “ ridiculous ” and made them feel “ like a complete failure , miserable , overwhelmed and burnt out ”. Another comment by an academic reads : “ Crushing workloads at SCU have
The survey results presented an even worse situation than we had imagined .
caused me to burn out and I now have an acquired disability as a result .”
SCU ’ s survey results follow a declining wellbeing trend in the higher education sector .
A similar workplace review at the University of New England highlighted that more than a quarter of staff experienced anxiety , depression and burnout .
In response to the survey , the NTEU has called on Southern Cross management to address the identified work health and safety issues , to review the six by six teaching model as well as to open negotiation to improve staff job security and workload through enterprise bargaining .
Caughley believes that the state of staff conditions and wellbeing reflects poorly on the university and could also cause harm to its reputation .
“ Staff have been grieving over the fate of Southern Cross ; they wouldn ’ t recommend their friends to work here and are actively telling anyone to steer clear .”
Campus Review contacted Southern Cross University for comment . ■
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