Australians are putting off important life admin tasks because they are simply too busy, with young people especially time-poor, according to new research.
The Zoom Australia research was conducted by YouGov in October and saw surveys conducted online with 1,027 Australians aged 18 years and older.
It found that more than half of the surveyed Australians feel like they don’t have enough time in general, and that they “lack time to do anything for themselves”.
As a result of this, more than 80 percent of Australians are putting life administration on hold.
According to the report, 85 percent of Australians are putting off life administration tasks because they are seen to be too long or too much of a hassle.
“Our respondents told us that tasks like updating contact details, paying bills, reviewing finances or resolving issues with service providers tend to fall by the wayside, as more pressing priorities float to the top of their to-do lists,” the report said.
The survey found that young people are most impacted by this. The results found 90 per cent of Gen Zers are putting off life admin, 94 per cent of millennials and 76 per cent of Baby Boomers.
Australians are looking for productive and easy digital tools to help them complete these life admin tasks more effectively, and flexibility from their work to assist with these difficulties.
The survey found that 65 per cent of respondents are using online channels such as email, 35 per cent are using online video platforms, a third are using live chat and 30 per cent use social media to access customer services more often than they did before the onset of the pandemic.
“Our research shows that virtual channels like video communications were not just a COVID bandaid necessity – they are here to stay,” Zoom Australia and New Zealand head Michael Chetner said.
“Consumers want more freedom of choice in how and when they access customer services.”
Just under 70 percent of those surveyed said their lives are easier when they can connect with their world remotely.
“Australians want simple, hyper-personalised access to businesses and services so they can spend less time ticking off their to-do lists and more time connecting with friends, family and doing what makes them happy,” Chetner said.
“Video communications platforms are playing a key part in bringing that simplicity to these exchanges and helping businesses engage with customers in a way that drives trust and loyalty.”
What balance?
Several recent studies have found that Australian workers are struggling under the weight of their work and associated stress, and struggling to achieve a satisfactory work-life balance.
A report in October found that Australians are feeling burnt out and overwhelmed by their work, but feel they cannot take annual leave. More than 40 percent of workers were feeling burnt out, but three-quarters had a reason stopping them from taking leave.
The concept of a four-day working week for the same pay has also picked up steam thanks to this reconsideration of the role of work in our lives.
Last month Unilever began the biggest trial of the concept to be conducted in Australia, with 500 employees taking part over 18 months. A number of other local companies are also currently undertaking a six-month trial of the four-day work week, too.
The concept revolves around employees working 80 percent of their normal days, for 100 percent of the money while maintaining 100 percent of their existing productivity.
In the UK more than 100 companies recently permanently adopted the four-day work week, with thousands of employees to work one less day per week.
