By: Maria Williams
Employers in Australia are facing a crisis of trust. According to market research company Roy Morgan, 66% of Australians today distrust any organization or sector, while under 41% can identify any organization or secretary they trust. This difference represents a net decline of 8% from a year ago. As corporations adapt to technological changes, many employees feel disconnected. Some aggravating factors include skepticism over the introduction of AI, increased workplace monitoring, remote and hybrid work models that blur work-life balance, and shifting societal attitudes toward corporate culture.
The trust crisis may have long-lasting detrimental effects on employees and employers, including dissatisfaction in the workplace and decreased productivity. Sydney-based HR consultancy HumanX has identified some underlying causes of loss of trust in the workplace. With expertise and experience in cultivating a strong workplace culture, HumanX is working to bring mutual trust and respect into the office, helping organizations create an experience that feels more human.
Hich Nasr, Partner at HumanX, has warned about the dangers of not addressing this issue. “Employees might not even quit given the current cost of living pressures. Instead, they might stay but only work half-heartedly,” Nasr states. “Not only is the employee left feeling disengaged, but that disengagement may cost the organization around 20% of the employee’s salary. Low trust levels may add up to major problems.” Identifying the causes of these trust issues is the first step to addressing them, and one factor may include the growing pains of adopting new technologies.
Many organizations have integrated new technologies into their operations to stay competitive and efficient. Artificial intelligence has already become a component of many Australians’ work. According to cloud-based software company Salesforce, 53% of Australian professionals actively use or experiment with generative AI in their work. However, while premier management and team leads have embraced AI, only 34% of workers without management responsibilities have expressed enthusiasm. This points to a growing trust gap concerning how AI is integrated between employees and management. Training may be another aggravating factor, as Salesforce reports that 81% of office workers express concern about the lack of relevant AI training.
Another technology that may create trust concerns is the rising prevalence of workplace monitoring. While these tools may aid managers in tracking the performances of their team members, they may create stress without addressing the underlying causes of production issues. As reported by the publisher SmartCompany, 64% of Australians claim their stress has risen because of more aggressive performance goals and targets. Comparatively, 47% of respondents from the same survey said more empathetic leaders would improve their job satisfaction.
As technologies like AI and workplace monitoring are implemented, open discussions and training may allow these tools to be utilized more effectively while easing the stress and concerns that can spark distrust. “Employees are more likely to trust their employers when the purpose behind workplace monitoring is clearly explained,” Nasr states. “Providing relevant training, especially around new tools like AI, empowers employees and fosters trust. Keeping people central to the process is at the heart of any successful transformation.”
In addition to other technological shifts, more jobs have taken on hybrid or remote work schedules. While these models benefit employees, such as additional flexibility, concerns over blurred lines between work and personal time have risen. According to a 2024 annual report by the Australian Government Productivity Bulletin, labor activity fell across 2022–2023 because output growth failed to keep pace with a record increase in hours worked. As more employees feel pressured to pack in work hours at home, increased burnout contributes to lower productivity and trust in employers.
The 2024 Australian Government Productivity Bulletin also decouples wages and productivity. With rising income inequality, more Australians distrust the corporations that employ them. All of these factors, including introducing new technologies, the pressure of performance monitoring, and burnout, create a workplace of mistrust that can harm employers and employees. HumanX highlights these growing issues and strives to help businesses correct them.
“High workplace trust may lead to increased productivity, collaboration, and creativity, ultimately driving better outcomes for the business,” Nasr explains. With a blend of strategic and tactical HR solutions, HumanX’s mission is to make the workplace work for everyone.
Published by Elle G
