Britain's workers crave more time with friends in 2004

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Eight in ten employees would like to spend more time with friends and family in 2004, if only they could balance their work and lives more effectively, according to a new survey by the Department of Trade and Industry's work-life balance campaign.

Other key survey results include:

Seven in ten adults said that they would like to pursue their interest in the arts, whilst over half would like to play more sport.
Nearly four in ten adults (38%) between the ages of 35 and 55 feel they spend too much time at work, at the expense of other commitments.
Nearly four in ten (38%) have changed their working hours to fit in with their commitments and interests outside work.

Activity that employees would most like to pursue in 2004, if they had a better work-life balance
	Per cent of employees
Spend more time with friends and family	87%
Go to theatre, cinema or art galleries	70%
Read more	66%
Learn a new skill such as a new language	57%
Play more sport or take up a new sport	56%
Do some form of voluntary work	44%
Join a club or hobby group	40%

Source: Department of Trade and Industry.

A final word

"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." -- Patricia Hewitt, Trade and Industry Secretary.

Want to know more?

The DTI survey was conducted by ACCESS, the omnibus division of BRMB International, in December 2003. A total of 2,011 adults were selected at random and interviewed around the UK, of which 1,229 were full or part-time workers.

To read the full press release online visit http://213.38.88.221/gnn/national.nsf/TI/6EF404FF69D0A2BF80256E1600006937?opendocument

For more details about the Department of Trade and Industry's work-life balance campaign visit www.dti.gov.uk

Posted 26 January 2004