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Wellbeing at work

Key facts

  • Having a safe and healthy workplace is important for your wellbeing.
  • How you sit, stand or move at work, what type of work you do and who you work with can affect your health.
  • Your workplace can impact your mental health. This can cause mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
  • Your employer has a legal responsibility to keep your workplace safe by providing training, safety equipment and a supportive work environment.

What is 'workplace health'?

In Australia, people spend about one-third of their time working. Having a safe and healthy workspace is an important part of looking after your physical and mental health.

When you feel healthy, safe and valued at work, you are likely to do better at work and in other parts of your life.

Learning how to work safely and maintain a proper work environment can help prevent injury and illness. It can also help you stay healthy and improve your wellbeing.

How can my workplace affect my mental health?

Working in a supportive setting that helps balance your work and your personal life can help you feel happier, healthier and even more productive.

An unhealthy workplace can cause stress, worry and sleep problems. This might be due to:

  • the nature of the work (for example emergency workers are exposed to more trauma)
  • the demands of the job (for example shift work)
  • the lack of support and training provided by management
  • the workplace culture
  • poor workplace interactions and relationships

Sometimes things like personality and coping styles, or conflicting demands from work and home can affect how you feel at work.

Bullying or sexual harassment at work can cause a lot of stress and negatively impact your mental health.

A little bit of stress can be a good thing. It can push you to finish tasks and help you to reach your work goals. If there's no stress at all at work, you might feel bored or unmotivated, which can lead to poor mental health.

Too much stress or being stressed for a long time can cause problems. It can increase your chances of getting depression or anxiety, especially if you're at already at risk of these conditions. Too much stress can also make an existing mental health condition worse.

Constant stress over a long period of time can also lead to 'burnout'. Burnout can:

  • make you feel mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted
  • stop you from doing your best at work
  • make you feel nervous about going to work

Mental illness is the main reason people miss work in Australia.

Talk to your doctor if you are feeling very stressed or worried about work. They can suggest resources to help you manage your stress.

What does a mentally healthy workplace look like?

In a workplace that prioritises mental health of employees and colleagues:

  • people watch out for each other
  • managers and teams talk openly about mental health
  • employees with mental health concerns feel comfortable to seek help
  • employees with mental health issues are given space and support during their recovery

Employers and managers are responsible for making their workplaces fair and safe for their employees.

For ideas on how to improve mental health wellbeing in your workplace, visit Mentally Healthy Workplaces (Opens in new tab).

How can my workplace affect my physical health?

Your workplace can affect your physical health directly and indirectly.

How can my work environment directly affect my physical health?

Almost 1 in 2 people who work in an office experience neck pain at least once a year. Back and arm pain are also common injuries in people who work in an office environment.

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a long-term (chronic) medical condition. It happens after doing the same action many times over a long period of time and can happen in almost any job.

Sitting a lot at work can also impact your long-term health, such as while driving, operating a crane or at a desk. This can lead to:

Standing for long periods of time can cause:

It's important to add more physical activity to your workday when you can, like using the stairs or taking regular breaks.

Some work conditions are more dangerous than others, such as working with hazardous substances or on construction sites.

Your chance of getting injured may be higher in these settings if the risks are not correctly managed and if there is no emergency plan.

How can my work environment indirectly affect my physical health?

If you don't have a physical job, it can be hard to find time to exercise. It's important to find time to keep up your physical health.

You can try to fit exercise into your routine by working out during your lunch break or by exercising during your commute to work. For example, you can cycle to work or get off the bus a stop earlier. 

Some workplaces have exercise facilities or encourage staff to have their meetings while walking.

Most people eat at least one meal during their working day. It is a good idea to make this meal healthy. This can be hard if your options for preparing or reheating food at work are limited. Plan ahead and bring food to work to help you manage your diet. This will also save time and money on going out for lunch.

What happens if I work from home?

Many people work in a hybrid way, spending some time working from home and some time working at the workplace. It is important to make a balanced hybrid work plan so that you can maintain a work-life balance.

How can I improve my mental health when working from home?

Working from home can affect your mental health, especially if it means you don't leave your home for long periods of time. You may start to feel:

  • isolated, lonely and disconnected
  • that it is difficult to switch from work tasks to home tasks
  • that it is hard to stay motivated and focused
  • uncertain about your progress

To stay mentally healthy when working from home, you can:

  • create boundaries between work and home
  • avoid working in your bedroom
  • stay connected to colleagues with regular telephone or online meetings
  • try to get outside at some point during the day

For resources on staying mentally healthy when working in a hybrid model, visit the Black Dog Institute website (Opens in new tab).

How can I ensure my physical health when working from home?

You have the responsibility to make sure you have a safe workspace, even when you're working from home.

You can help lower risks of working from home by:

  • identifying hazards in your workplace
  • checking for risks that may be present in your home
  • complying with any health and safety policies or procedures

Your employer must make sure that your workspace is safe, as much as possible. They may provide equipment and checklists to help you set up your home workspace.

For more information on working safely from home, you can visit Safe Work Australia (Opens in new tab). You can also speak to your manager about any concerns you may have.

What are my rights at work?

You have the right to a safe environment and to get training on how to work safely.

Your employer needs to make sure:

  • any machinery or equipment you use as part of your job is properly maintained.
  • any necessary safety equipment must be provided by your employer.

By law, your workplace must teach you how to safely use any equipment you need for your job. This includes how to lift and carry heavy things or how to sit at an office desk without hurting your muscles and joints.

If you're not sure how to stay safe at work or you are worried that your work environment is making you sick, you can talk to your employer about it. They have a legal obligation to:

  • listen to your concerns
  • provide regular training 
  • make any changes necessary

If you become injured at work, you have a right to workers' compensation.

Your employer can't discriminate against you (treat you unfairly) because of your health. They are also required by Australian law to make reasonable changes for you if you need them.

You have the right to work in a safe place where the conditions do not cause mental illness or worsen any mental health conditions you already have. 

How can I improve my workplace health?

You can improve your workplace health by

  • being more active
  • eating healthily
  • using all safety equipment as instructed
  • following all health and safety rules

Here are some ideas you can try for improving your workplace health:

  • Start a lunchtime walking or running group with your co-workers.
  • Have your meetings while standing up or taking a walk together. 
  • Suggest that healthy food be offered at work gatherings or in the break room. This could include fruit, vegetables, and healthy sandwiches made with wholegrain bread.
  • Ask your manager for a place for employees to store food, so that you can bring lunch and snacks from home.
  • Create a sports team with your co-workers and join local leagues or tournaments. This is a great way to be active and make friends with people at work.
  • Discourage smoking at work and share quit smoking resources with colleagues.
  • Try active commutes like walking or cycling to work.

Resources and support

Languages other than English

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Last reviewed: April 2026

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Menopause and the Workplace | Fact Sheet | Australasian Menopause Society Hub

Download: Menopause and the Workplace  | Fact Sheet MAIN POINTSAddressing menopause in the workplace can benefit both the organisation and employees with menopausal symptoms affecting their workCollaborating with employees and including menopausal health in policies can improve an inclusive organisational culture and avoid discrimination against employees with menopausal symptomsWorkplaces can make changes to policies and the environment to support employees with symptomsManagers can promote discussions with employees who are open to discussing how their symptoms are impacting their workManagers can suggest workplace adjustments and occupational advice for employees to access strategies to improve their work experienceEmployees can speak with healthcare professionals about treatment options and self-help strategies for their symptomsAddressing menopause at work can benefit both employers and employees.Employers who make workplaces responsive to gender and diversity will be better able to attract and retain skilled and talented staff. Menopause is a genderand age-equity issue and remains one of the last “unspoken” issues in workplaces. For many women, menopause is a natural stage of life. But menopausal symptoms may also be caused by interventions such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy or medications.Some employees even consider a career break or retiring when their work is affected by menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, sweats, sleep disturbance and mental health issues. In the workplace, difficulties with memory and concentration may be particularly difficult.A 2021 study found 83% of women experiencing menopause were affected at work, but only 70% would feel comfortable speaking with their manager about it.1The following tips are based on global consensus recommendations for menopause in the workplace.2How can employers and organisations improve menopause awareness?The Australian Government has included promoting workforce participation as a priority area for older women.3 Addressing the lack of awareness of menopause is a major step employers can take to assist their organisation and workforce. Free resources for Australian workplaces and managers are available.4Organisations can address the lack of menopause awareness by:improving understanding of menopause and prioritising health and wellbeing in the workplaceensuring employees with menopausal symptoms impacting their work are not stigmatised, discriminated against, bullied, or harassedrecognising how work patterns could impact symptoms and allowing flexible working arrangements, where possibledeveloping policies supportive of menopause as part of induction, training and development programs for employeesincluding coverage of menopause in leave policies and assisting employees to access workplace healthcareproviding training for managers and supervisors to understand menopause and how to have sensitive conversations about menopause at work.How can managers and supervisors improve menopause awareness?Managers who are comfortable having sensitive conversations about menopause are in a better position to help create a positive workplace that improves quality of life, productivity, and motivation for all employees.Managers and supervisors can contribute to a more inclusive workplace by:creating a supportive culture for people going through menopauseenabling employees to discuss their menopausal symptoms without assuming everyone who experiences menopause will want to talk about itconsidering using occupational health professionals to advise on suitable arrangements for employeesallowing flexibility of dress codesreviewing workplace temperature control and ventilation, including the ability to adjust temperature (eg. fans in work areas)allowing work breaks to manage severe symptomspromoting a healthy lifestyle in the workplace (eg. healthy snacks, lunchtime walking groups.How can employees with menopausal symptoms improve their workplace experience?Not all employees going through menopause want to discuss their situation with people at work. But if they wish, employees who are having health concerns at work, could consider:speaking with their manager or supervisor about menopause-related problems impacting their workseeking help and advice from employee support bodies if they feel unsupported with their health at workconsulting with their doctor to discuss treatment options and self-help strategiesspeaking to occupational health or other healthcare professionalslearning about any equity and occupational health and safety legislation and regulations for employees experiencing menopause at workassist in developing workplace policies or training programs to ensure menopause is meaningfully consideredtaking part in online support menopause support groups.Where can you find more information about menopause and the workplace?1. Circle In, Driving the change: Menopause and the workplace, 2021. Access here: https://circlein.com/research-and-guides/menopause-at-work/  2. Rees et al, Global consensus recommendations on menopause in the workplace: A European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) position statement. Access here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.06.006 3. Australian Government, National Women’s Health Strategy 2020 to 2030, 2020. Access here: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-womens-health-strategy-2020-2030 4. Menopause Information Pack for Organizations (MIPO). Access website here: https://www.menopauseatwork.org/5. Jean Hailes Foundation: Menopause and work fact sheet | Jean HailesWhere can employers and employees find more information about menopause?If your symptoms are bothering you, your doctor can help. Your doctor can tell you about the changes in your body and offer options for managing your symptoms.Fact sheets:Menopause what are the symptoms? Menopause before 40 and spontaneous premature ovarian insufficiencyEarly menopause – chemotherapy and radiation therapyInfographics:Menopause what are the symptoms?What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is it safe?If you are an employee and have any concerns or questions about options to manage your menopausal symptoms, visit your doctor or go to the Find a Practitioner service on the AMS website.
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The workplace

Work health and safety (WHS) laws prohibit work involving asbestos except in specific circumstances where strict safety rules must be followed. If you manage or control a workplace (including as a commercial property owner) the WHS laws contain a range of duties to protect the health and safety of workers and others at the workplace.
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Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms | Fact Sheet | Australasian Menopause Society Hub

Download: Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms  | Fact Sheet MAIN POINTSComplementary medicine is used to describe a wide range of healthcare medicines, therapies (forms of treatment that do not involve medicines) and other products that are not generally considered as part of conventional medicine.Some complementary medicines may help with mild symptoms, but overall more evidence is needed.To assure safety, ideally complementary medicines should be prescribed by a health professional trained in their use.Always inform your doctor if you are using complementary medicines, and ensure your health practitioner has checked for any interactions that might affect other medications.Avoid buying online products – their safety cannot be guaranteed.Bioidentical compounded hormone therapies cannot be recommended because their safety is unknown.No complementary medicine is as effective as oestrogen therapy for menopausal symptoms.Complementary medicine and therapies (CM&T) is a broad term used to describe a wide range of health care medicines, therapies and other products that are not generally considered as part of conventional medicine (National Health and Medical Research Council). Some women think about using CM&T to manage their menopausal symptoms because they do not want to use prescribed medications or are unable to use them. If you are thinking about using CM&T, ask your doctor if it will affect other medications you might be taking. Some CM&T are promoted as natural and safe with little evidence the therapy works. Often there is no way to know if CM&T are safe or uncontaminated, especially if bought online. Your doctor can help you to understand the benefits and risks of a CM&T. The table provides a summary of commonly used CM&T for menopausal symptoms.The traffic light colours indicate:Red - Do not use (insufficient evidence that it works and/or safety concerns)Orange -  Use with caution (may work but safety concerns)Green - OK to use (some evidence that it works and safe for most women)Medicine/TherapySymptomCommentsRec'n*Botanical/herbal/Vitamin supplementsVitamin EHot flushesVitamin E can decrease the number of hot flushes by 1-2 per day.St John’s WortMood symptoms Can improve mood and may help with mild depression. This therapy interacts with many prescription medicines.Soy isoflavones or phyto-oestrogensMenopausal symptomsMay help hot flushes. Not helpful for sleep. Wild yam cream or progesterone creamEndometrial (lining of the uterus) protectionNo evidence that it is effective.Red cloverMenopausal symptomsCan slightly reduce the frequency of hot flushes. Post menopausal women may see a greater reduction.Omega-3 supplementsHot flushesNo evidence that effective for menopausal symptoms but can lower high triglycerides.Black cohoshMenopausal symptomsThere are different forms of Black Cohosh and some extracts (isopropanolic) may be beneficial. There are possible safety concerns.Evening primrose oilHot flushesNo evidence that it is effective.AshwagandhaMenopausal symptomsInsufficient evidence of benefit and concerns for gastrointestinal and liver side effects.Mind-body therapiesAcupunctureHot flushesMay be effective at reducing frequency and severity of hot flush versus a placebo, but not compared to sham acupuncture.Cognitive behavioural therapy Menopausal symptomsCan help some women with menopausal symptoms (sleep/ hot flushes/mood).HypnosisMenopausal symptomsHypnosis might be helpful for some women.YogaMenopausal symptomsYoga might be helpful for some women.HomeopathyMenopausal symptomsNo evidence that is it effective.OtherBioidentical compounded hormone therapyMenopausal symptomsDo not take it if you can’t take prescribed menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for safety reasons.* Rec'n = Recommendation
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What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is it Safe? | Fact Sheet | Australasian Menopause Society Hub

Download: What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and is it Safe?  | Fact SheetAlso see associated Infographic MAIN POINTSMHT (also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT) covers a range of hormonal treatments that can reduce menopausal symptoms.MHT is the most effective way to control menopausal symptoms while also giving other health benefits.MHT is safe to use for most women in their 50s or for the first 10 years after the onset of menopause.The added risk for blood clots, stroke and breast cancer while taking MHT is very small, and similar to that for many other risk factors such as being overweight.Different types of MHT are associated with different risks. Your doctor can work with you to reduce your risk by using different hormonal treatment options. At menopause, a decrease in oestrogen levels can cause symptoms such as hot flushes, vaginal dryness, mood and sleep changes. If your symptoms are bothering you and you would like to know more about MHT, your doctor can help. Your doctor can tell you about the changes in your body and offer options for managing your symptoms.Menopausal Hormone Treatment or MHT (also known as Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT) is the most effective way of improving menopausal symptoms. MHT can also benefit your health by improving bone density and reducing the risk of fractures. MHT may also reduce the risk of a fracture and heart disease for some women. If you have had hormone-dependent cancer, you should not take hormone therapies. Speak with your doctor about other non-hormonal prescription medications.Types of MHT (HRT)MHT is available as tablets, patches, gels or vaginal treatments. The type of MHT needed and the associated risks varies according to:your agewhether you have had a hysterectomywhether you have other health conditions.Your doctor can tailor the type of hormone treatment best suited to you. If you had an early menopause you should continue treatment at least until the average age of menopause (51 years).Oestrogen plus progestogenIf you still have your uterus (have not had a hysterectomy), then you need a treatment that combines oestrogen and progestogen. Progestogens (including norethisterone, medroxyprogester , one dydrogesterone and micronized progesterone) are added to the treatment to reduce the risk of cancer of the uterus. Safety facts:Does not cause weight gainBlood clots – patches and gels have minimal or no risk. When using tablets the risk doubles, but is still very low (1 extra case per 1,000 women).Heart disease – no increased risk if MHT begins within 10 years of onset of menopause or before the age of 60.Breast cancer - overall 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. The added risk of breast cancer with MHT is very small. The risk increases the longer you take MHT and decreases after stopping. Using a different progestogen may reduce the risk.Stroke – no increased risk for women without underlying stroke risk factors who are in their 50s or during the first 10 years of menopause. Women with risk factors can probably safely use a patch or gel form of treatment. Oestrogen aloneOestrogen alone is suitable for women who have had a hysterectomy.Safety facts:Blood clots – patches and gels have minimal or no risk. When using tablets the risk doubles, but is still very low (1 extra case per 1000 women).Heart disease – may decrease the risk of heart disease if started within 10 years of menopause or before the age of 60.Breast cancer - overall 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Studies suggest that there is either no increase, or a very small added risk of breast cancer when using oestrogen only MHT. Breast cancer risk is lower with oestrogen only MHT compared with oestrogen plus progestogen.Stroke – no increased risk for women without underlying stroke risk factors who are in their 50s or during the first 10 years of menopause. Women with risk factors can probably safely use a patch or gel form of treatment.Vaginal oestrogen therapyVaginal oestrogen therapy is useful for women who have local symptoms such as vaginal dryness. Safety fact:If used as supplied, vaginal oestrogen therapy is safe to use long-term, except after breast cancer.TiboloneTibolone is taken as a single tablet and has some oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone effects. Many, but not all, women find tibolone helps with symptoms and may also improve sexual function. Tibolone is also suitable to reduce the risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) in post-menopausal women.Safety facts:Blood clots – no increase in risk.Heart disease – no increase in risk.Breast cancer – reduces breast density/tenderness and no increase in breast cancer risk with three years of use.Stroke – increase in risk if started after the age of 60.Oestrogen combined with a SERMSERMS (selective oestrogen receptor modulators) are a newer treatment option for menopause. They have anti-oestrogen or oestrogen-like effects that vary in different parts of the body.A tablet containing conjugate equine oestrogen combined with the SERM bazedoxifene improves menopausal symptoms, bone density and reduces breast density. Bazedoxifene, like progestogen, reduces the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus in women who have not had a hysterectomy.Safety fact:SERMs can be combined with oestrogen to improve symptoms, improve bone density and reduce the risk of uterine cancer.Where can you find information about other treatment options?If your symptoms are bothering you, your doctor can help. Your doctor can tell you about the changes in your body and offer options for managing your symptoms. Other fact sheets about treatment options include:Non-hormonal treatment options (See AMS fact sheet – Non-hormonal treatment options for menopausal symptoms)Lifestyle changes and menopause (See AMS fact sheet – Lifestyle and behaviour changes to manage menopausal symptoms)Complementary therapies (See AMS fact sheet – Complementary medicine options for menopausal symptoms)Information for your doctor to read includes AMS Information Sheets:Risks and benefits of MHTAMS Guide to equivalent MHT/HRT doses Australia only or AMS Guide to equivalent MHT/HRT doses New Zealand onlyCombined MHTOestrogen only MHTTibolone for post-menopausal women
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