| CHILDLESS
MANAGERS NEED WORK/LIFE BALANCE TOO |
28
July 2000
|
Over half of managers (55%) say that childless staff can
become resentful of family-friendly policies.
Over half (55%) do not feel that they spend enough time
with their children.
Close to half (46%) would not hesitate to change jobs for
a better quality of life.
Over a third (37%) do not expect to be with their organisation
two years from now.
Work-life balance issues also affect those without children,
and childless staff want flexibility too, according to Time
to Choose, a report published today (Friday 28 July) by
Management Today, the UK's leading business magazine
and work-life balance consultancy Ceridian Performance Partners.
I have commitments and a life too.
In a survey of almost 2,000 managers, over half agreed that
family-friendly policies could create resentment amongst
non-parents.
One respondent argued that: 'I do not have children
and sometimes resent the emphasis put on people who do being
the only ones who want more times at home etc - I have
commitments and a life too and I would like 'family-friendly'
policies to be 'home-friendly' policies instead!
I think this is what makes those of us without children
resentful - not that we begrudge them time but we want
it too!'
Present and incorrect
43% of managers say they would work more efficiently if
they were able to work flexibly.
Despite this it seems that most employers find flexible
work practices hard to accept. Over 68% of managers say
they feel they need to be present to be appreciated in their
company. This number rises to an alarming 73% for managers
working in large organisations, and amongst working mothers
the figure is almost 80%. 'It's still 'quantity
(of hours) NOT quality (of work)' that counts!'
says one respondent.
Penny de Valk, managing director of Ceridian, says: 'Presenteeism
can be as damaging to business as to the individual. Our
findings show that people would work more efficiently if
they were allowed to work flexibly. Changing organisations
to support the needs of a new workforce is not easy and
we are in an uncomfortable transition, but those companies
that can figure out how to support their people in balancing
work and life will be the ones who attract and keep the
best talent.'
The trade-offs
But as the survey shows, valued staff may not be prepared
to wait that long. They believe that they are sacrificing
their personal lives for their work and are beginning to
consider alternative lifestyles. One respondent warns: 'Crunch
time for me! Shall I kick in the well paid job for the freedom
of self-employment? Enough of the rat race? Watch this space.'
43% say their loyalty is to their career - not their
employer.
37% do not expect to be with their organisation two years
from now.
76% want to spend more time with their families.
46% do not feel that they spend enough time with their children.
46% of the UK's managers would not hesitate to change
jobs for a better quality of life.
30% would take less money in exchange for more time.
Rufus Olins, editor-in-chief of Management Today, says:
'These results show that career demands are squeezing
out personal pursuits. Most people feel flexible working
offers the only way out of the bind. Organisations could
do more to help, but we all need to accept personal responsibility
for getting our lives back. Our message to managers is that
they can and should take the initiative to change the culture.'Sleep
is the new luxury.
Flexible working practices might restore some balance to
employees' lives. Over half the men surveyed and 65%
of the women claim that their work leaves them drained of
energy, unable to do much outside work. And 41% say they
rarely get enough sleep, describing it as 'the new
luxury'. In the case of working mothers this figure
rises to 60%.
After a full day's work, 55% don't have enough
energy to do much else.
29% don't feel their lives are under control.
Having it all - the mother of all myths
While the majority of respondents were male, there was a
marked increase in the number of women taking part in this
year's survey. Although the origins of family-friendly
policies lie in making it easier for mothers to work, the
findings show that women still feel under most pressure
- at work and at home.
34% of women felt uncomfortable asking for time off to case
for a sick child - compared with only 20% of fathers.
41% women would find it difficult to ask for a change to
family friendly working patterns compared with 29% men.
15% of women said that if their child is sick and needs
care they would be likely to claim they are not well - compared
with about 6% of men.
60% of mothers say they rarely get enough sleep.
63% of mothers say there are times when work is an escape
from home compared with 38% of fathers.
- ends -
Notes to Editors:
Management Today is Britain's leading business magazine
and an award winning campaigner for work-life balance. Management
Today was judged best edited and best designed magazine
of the year in this year's PPA awards.
Ceridian Performance Partners are the leading international
providers of corporate work-life services.
The Research:
The survey was carried out through Management Today -
1,855 managers took part.
The Research Report:
The research results will be published in summary form in
the August edition of Management Today, published on 28
July.
The complete research report is available from Ceridian
Performance Partners, price £45. (Tel:
/ email:cppuk
Press review copies are available from Colman Getty PR (contact
details below).
Spokespeople:
Spokespeople, including Rufus Olins, editor-in-chief and
publishing director of Management Today, Victor Smart, editor
of Management Today, and Penny de Valk, managing director
of Ceridian Performance Partners are available for interview.
For
further details, or a copy of the research, please contact:
Memuna Forna, Nicola Dodd or Rob Cope
Colman Getty PR
Tel: Fax:
email: issues
Colman
Getty PR
July 2000
