British workers craving a better work-life balance

The survey, conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), found that the majority of staff would like to make better use of flexible working laws and for their employers to help combat the UK’s ‘long hours’ culture.

The findings present a challenge to many small businesses who do not have the resources to give flexible working to all employees, despite the associated rise in productivity resulting from happier workers.

Nearly nine in ten of those polled would like to spend more time with their friends and family in 2004, while 57 per cent would like to learn a new skill, such as a language.

Over half would like more time to play sport, while 44 per cent would like to do voluntary work.

Although 38 per cent of workers said that they had changed their working hours to gain a better lifestyle, a third felt that they still spent too much time at work at the expense of other commitments.

As reported by Startups.co.uk, British staff work the longest hours in Europe and take far less holiday time than their continental counterparts – a trend that the government has attempted to combat by introducing flexible working hours and greater maternity and paternity leave for parents last year.

A survey before Christmas revealed that entrepreneurs also desired a better work-life balance, with most respondents saying that their New Year’s resolution was to spend more time with their families.

Patricia Hewitt, the trade and industry secretary, said that it was good to see that many employees have resolved to get a much better balance between work and other aspects of their lives.

“In recent years, employers have made great strides in improving their work-life balance practices, particularly for parents.

“However, there are clearly still many people who don’t feel that they have achieved an effective balance.

“We already know that people can work much more effectively if they can balance the varying demands on their lifestyles, so it makes good business sense for employers to cater for all employees’ needs.

“Accommodating these interests and commitments will not only help workers stay healthy, but will also benefit the bottom-line through reduced absentee rates and recruitment costs,” she said.