The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

The 3P’s of the Workplace – it’s no longer just Pay and Perks, employees want Purpose

  • Written by Media Release

Over the course of an adult’s life, they will spend up to 4,821 days working on projects that may not inspire or motivate them as they do not align with their personal values. Increasingly employees are looking for more than just pay and perks, they want purpose.

A sense of purpose can significantly improve psychological wellbeing,” says Marcela Slepica, Clinical Director, AccessEAP. “Poor mental health and a lack of purpose in work can negatively impact employees and could make them feel worse. Work can contribute positively to employee’s wellbeing, by providing social interaction, a sense of structure, achievement and meaning. Additionally, it can be a distraction from distressing events in a person’s life which they may be struggling to cope with.”

Finding purpose in both personal and professional life has been proven to make a huge impact on one’s productivity, happiness and even their health. “Purpose is integral to any successful working environment, especially for younger generations,” Slepica continues. “Millennials, who will make up 75% of the Australian Workforce by 20251, are particularly driven by purpose. As such, businesses need to focus on ensuring this need is being met for their employees or else they may leave. Purpose, continued learning and flexibility are key for the future workforce, leading to increased engagement, higher job satisfaction and ultimately, better business performance.”

Purpose can be embodied in a variety of ways. For some, it comes with feelings of being appreciated and recognised, others are looking for work that contributes to society and for many, they want to make a difference. Employers should work with their team to identify what inspires them or clearly define how the individual or the team makes a difference or what difference their contribution is making every day.

Marcela Slepica works with a number of clients at AccessEAP providing mental health awareness and workplace wellbeing programs across various industries. Here she offers advice on how employers can create a sense of purpose and positively impact the lives of workers and workplace culture.

Lead the way

Managers have an opportunity to inspire their staff to find purpose in their workplace due to their authority, credibility and influence. But it’s important to remember that finding purpose is not a ‘quick fix’, it requires a sustained leadership commitment for it to be meaningful, it needs to be more than words which may be perceived as tokenism. People can feel if it is genuine.

Ensure people feel valued

Employees want to feel that what they are doing is appreciated and matters in the context of the greater goals of the business. Recognise your staff for the good work that they do. This encourages engagement which leads to a positive workplace atmosphere and will contribute to productivity.

Encourage learning

Personal and career development opportunities are another way for employees to find more purpose at work, especially if the work is routine and does not allow for creativity or flexibility. It’s imperative for managers to offer training and provide development opportunities available to employees at all times. Employees of today are constantly yearning to learn, to fulfil themselves intellectually and be seen as more than another cog in a machine to improve the company’s bottom line.

Connect to a greater cause

Investing time into creating a sense of purpose for individuals impacts on the culture. If people feel valued, and that they are contributing to the bigger purpose or goals of an organisation and that everyone has an important role, they are more likely to feel a sense of inclusion. By being informed about how the business works from the small tasks to the end product, employees gather a greater understanding of how they are making a difference.

In some organisations, such as AccessEAP, surplus profits are directed into programs to assist children at risk in the community, in others teams get together to participate in activities to raise money for their favourite charity. Some employees enjoy this activity as it gives them a sense of achievement and meaning. This allows the team to give and to feel proud of their organisation thereby impacting on the culture and engagement. Adopting purpose-led initiatives will require dedicated and consistent efforts, and in the longer term, it will become a way of thinking and behaving that will change the dynamics of the business and give both your team and business the opportunity to make a difference.

If you would like more information, please visit www.accesseap.com.au


About AccessEAP

AccessEAP is a leading Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider in Australia. We have been assisting companies across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia since 1989 in supporting a mentally healthy workplace. As an Australian owned not-for-profit provider, surplus profits are directed into programs to assist children at risk in the community through direct donation and via The Curran Access Children’s Foundation.

1 Haworth, Raising the Bar 2017

Property Times

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by respected private hotelier John Azar, the Good Beer Company has a proven t...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Food & Dining

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lagers to innovative craft brews, beer is woven into the fabric of Australi...

Business Times

Navigating Leadership Mistakes with Confidence

I am always surprised by this question: How do leaders get over embarrassing mistakes and still succeed? The use of the w...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer exp...

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

The Times Features

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...