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Is your blackberry a burden or an asset? Do you work more hours than you would like to? Is your partner happy with the amount of time you spend at work? Do you spend your lunch breaks at your desk?
An MSI Global Alliance survey of more than 1000 Australian and New Zealand employers and employees conducted in February 2008 provides a snapshot picture of current attitudes to these very current work-life issues.
This year’s MSI survey turns on its head the idea that having a handheld email device is seen as encroaching on work-life balance. Indeed it seems that the growing use of handheld devices is an outstanding positive from an employee perspective.
The survey results showed that:
- 88% of respondents stated they feel compelled to check emails / blackberry’s outside of non-working hours, with employees feeling more compelled than their bosses.
- Nearly 70% of handheld users said that checking emails / blackberry when not at work as having a positive impact rather than negative on their lives.
- 76% work on weekends at least occasionally and 69% work at least occasionally at home on weeknights
- 47% of participants stated they ‘never’ work on a public holiday, with 53% saying they do at least occasionally
- 81% of participants said Flexible Working Hours would enhance their work-life balance
- 63% believe fitness facilities or discounted rates for gym membership would enhance their work-life balance
- 46% of participants were ‘not really’ satisfied with the amount of time they spend with their spouse or partner
- With 64% saying their spouse / partners would like them to work less
- 57% of participants spend their lunch breaks ‘eating at their desk while doing work’, 3 or more times a week.
- Only 29% spend their lunch breaks ‘eating and socialising’, 3 or more times a week.
- 25% described their workload as ‘excessive – I have too much work’. The reasons being:
- 52% believe it is due to staff shortages
- 21% feel their managers ‘expect too much of me’; and
- 29% said there is a company culture – work hard to get promoted.
MSI members would like to thank all of their clients who have participated in the MSI Work Life Balance survey and we congratulate Anna Pavlou from S2F in Melbourne for winning the Prize Draw, an iPod Nano.
To view a copy of the Work Life Balance survey results please click here. |
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