WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Childcare assistance still a minority pursuit
British employees are more likely to be offered stress counselling to help with the effects of the long-hours culture than receive assistance with their basic childcare needs, according to a major study into work-life balance.
Commissioned by the Department of Education and Employment (DfEE), the survey shows that that men — particularly fathers — want more flexible working, although two-thirds feel that working part time would adversely affect their career progression.
Key findings
60% of employers now allow their workers to vary their hours
55% of employers think that moving from full time to part time is acceptable in some cases
24% of employees work flexitime and 12% work only during term time
56% of women said they would rather work more flexibly, such as working part-time or from home, after pregnancy rather than have a longer maternity leave period.
Margaret Hodge, Minister for Employment and Equal Opportunities, said:
There is agreement all round — from business and from employees — that work-life balance practices lead to a healthier, happier workforce and bottom line benefits. Yet there are big differences in practice on the ground. Half of all employees have access to stress counselling, but fewer than one in nine are offered a crè che to help with childcare needs. Employers are willing to deal with the consequences, not causes, of poor work-life balance.
Want to know more?
Title: Work-life Balance 2000, Department of Education and Employment (DfEE).
Methodology: The study was conducted jointly by the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick and IFF Research. The study was commissioned by the DfEE in order to provide baseline information for the Government’ s work-life balance campaign.
Sample size: The study provides representative national information about the availability of work-life balance arrangements in workplaces with five or more employees . It comprises two surveys: an employer survey, covering 2,500 workplaces in Great Britain and an employee survey of around 7,500 people.
Availability: Copies of the 40-page summary report are available from DfEE publications (0845 60 222 60, please quote WLBSUMBS1). The full report will be published in December 2000.
To download the press release . . .