NEWS
BRIEFING Keep up to date with the latest news surrounding the role of the EA
Half of workers are‘ quietly cracking’
More than 55 % of Australian employees are said to be appearing to function normally at work while privately struggling with emotional distress, according to new research from The Change Lab.
The 2025 Workplace Report, led by Dr Michelle McQuaid from the University of Melbourne, found costof-living pressures are the leading cause of‘ quietly cracking,’ with 41.7 % of workers citing financial stress as the primary reason. Younger employees are hit hardest with three in four under- 25s silently struggling.
The paradox is striking – workers who are quietly cracking maintain 93 % of their normal performance, fooling managers focused on output. But beneath this facade, they’ re exhausted, anxious and using unsustainable coping strategies. These workers are 6.2 times more likely to burnout compared to colleagues who aren’ t quietly cracking.
Recognising the signs is crucial, according to Dr McQuaid:“ Quiet cracking often appears as efficiency without joy. They’ re checking all the boxes and meeting deadlines but the spark of engagement, the moments of lightness or collaborative enthusiasm have disappeared. High functioning doesn’ t always mean high flourishing.”
Advice for EAs The report also identifies practical steps to both safeguard yourself and influence the culture around you – balanced job demands, workplace respect, strengths alignment and self-compassion provide up to 53 % protection against quiet cracking.
Dr McQuaid continues:“ As an EA, you influence all four daily. You can flag when workloads become unsustainable, model respectful communication even in stressful moments, suggest task assignments based on people’ s
Dr Michelle McQuaid
talents and normalise being kind and accountable to yourself when things don’ t go perfectly.”
Because of your close proximity to decision-makers, EAs and support staff are also uniquely placed to shape healthier workplaces, as“ protective factor multipliers.”
“ When you help leaders acknowledge their teams’ emotional experiences, engage in meaningful conversations rather than just status updates, recognise and appreciate people’ s strengths, and normalise reaching out for support, you’ re helping to prevent quiet cracking at scale,” adds Dr McQuaid. S
Spring Issue 2025 | Executive PA 17