The triple shift: Why retail workers are burning out – and what to do about it 

The burnout crisis in Australian retail 

According to a recent survey by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), 78% of retail workers have experienced stress, anxiety or depression in the past four weeks. Nearly half said they’ve been physically assaulted or harassed on the job. 

Meanwhile, Safe Work Australia says mental health conditions now make up 11% of all serious workers’ comp claims, with time off averaging more than five times longer than for other injuries. 

The message is pretty clear: if wellbeing at work isn’t part of your strategy, you don’t really have one. 

Why retail work is uniquely exhausting 

Retail roles come with a one-of-a-kind combo of chaos, charm and complete exhaustion. It’s not always glamorous, but it’ll sharpen your people skills faster than you can say “I need to speak to the manager.”  

So, what makes retail such a tough gig?  

• Physical strain: Long hours on your feet, repetitive tasks and heavy lifting  
• Emotional labour: Dealing with customer complaints or managing high-pressure sales periods  
• Mental load: Balancing unpredictable shifts, home life and financial pressures  

For a lot of people, these challenges build up slowly. Without real focus on physical and mental wellbeing, everyday stress can snowball into full-blown burnout before anyone sees it coming.  

Wellbeing at work: Simple strategies that reduce burnout 

You don’t need a massive budget to reduce burnout risk across your retail team. Here are a few simple but powerful staff wellbeing ideas that really make a difference:  

1. Encourage walking breaks  

A quick lap around the block can do wonders when it all gets too much on the shop floor. Even 10 minutes of movement has been shown to lift mood, sharpen alertness and boost energy.  

2. Create a recharge zone  

Set aside part of the breakroom as a quiet, comfy decompression space. Somewhere that feels separate from the stock and customer chatter.  

3. Offer flexible rosters  

More control over shifts means less stress around childcare, commuting and everything else life throws at people outside of work.  

Give your employees a say in their roster or make shift-swapping less of a headache, and you’ll see the whole vibe lift across your team. 

4. Provide wellbeing content  

Improving employee wellbeing often starts with just five minutes of peace. Encourage regular brain breaks with calming content like guided meditations, mindfulness tools or relaxing music. 

5. Try end-of-shift yoga  

A 10-minute group stretch or yoga session can give staff a chance to wind down before heading home. It eases physical tension and signals to the brain that the workday’s done.  

Using an employee wellbeing platform to scale your support 

A tool like Perkbox makes it easier to roll out consistent wellbeing initiatives across dispersed teams. As an employee wellbeing platform, it gives staff:  

• Access to on-demand wellbeing content (meditations, stretch sessions, calming playlists)  
• Personalised recognition after tough shifts  
• Discounts on essentials that help ease cost-of-living stress  

Whether your team’s in-store, remote or in the warehouse, digital tools help make sure wellbeing at work gets the attention it deserves – no matter where they’re based or what their role involves.  

A final word

Figuring out how to prevent burnout in the workplace doesn’t mean overhauling everything. It means making wellbeing at work part of the everyday – not just a poster on a noticeboard that, ironically, no one notices…  

Retail work takes heart, hustle and a ridiculous amount of patience. If your people feel genuinely supported, they’ll give you all that and more (without burning out or bailing).  

Ready to take the next step? 

Download our Retail Engagement Toolkit today. It’s packed with practical guides, posters and communication templates tailored for in-store, warehouse and office teams.  

If you're looking to boost morale, improve recognition or unite your workforce, this toolkit’s got everything you need to get started.  

Download your toolkit