Too busy to be blue

New research shows people who are underemployed have the same low level of wellbeing as those that are unemployed.

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index shows that people who feel they are overworked are not that unhappy as other commitments, such as family, take up their time.

The author of the report, Professor Bob Cummins of Deakin University, said it was the people who cannot find enough suitable work that have a low wellbeing.

“These findings have important implications for the increasing trend of part-time and casual workers in Australia,” he said.

“Although 2008 has presented Australia’s lowest unemployment figures in 30 years, the ABS results also showed a decrease in full-time employment and an increase in part-time employment.”

Cummins said although more Australians were in work, the definition of employment was one hour of work a week.

“This means that many people might not be getting enough hours to meet their needs even when they have a job,” he said.

“What’s really worrying is that people who are underemployed have a wellbeing score that is no better than people who are unemployed.”

Cummins said there had been a lot of debate about people achieving a balance between work and family life, but the survey shows these people are not unhappy.

“This result puts a whole new spin on things — it is normally better for us to be too busy rather than not busy enough,” he said.

“Many people would like to work less hours, but in most cases their happiness is not actually at risk from their busy workload.”

The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index is a national survey of 2,000 Australians measuring wellbeing and happiness. Eighteen surveys have been conducted with the latest in November last year.