Nearly all executives in companies of the industrial world are concerned by a high level of stress - managers work 50 hours on average per week and additionaly spend 6 hours by commuting between their homes and their offices.
Muehlenhoff + Partner performed the first empirical research worldwide via Internet regarding this subject.
The study has been performed on behalf of the global cooperation of Arbora Global Career Partners with the aim to investigate in which way executives see their situation regarding work-life-balance. Two complimentary questionnaires were used to gauge the views of managers and, representing employing organisations, HR managers.
A total of 2216 electronic questionnaires, which were posted on a dedicated web page (www.work-and-life-balance.com), provided the basis for the report findings. 1267 questionnaires were returned by managers from different functional areas and 949 from HR departments.
The survey incorporated organisations ranging from SMEs to those employing over 1500 staff. Just over half of those participating were from multinationals (57 per cent) and were based in one of 24 countries around the world.
The distribution of survey responses is 35 per cent from central European countries (including the UK); 33 per cent from southern European countries (mainly Spain) and 17 per cent came from Scandinavian countries. The remaining 15 percent of questionnaires were completed in the USA, South America and Asian and Pacific Ocean countries (Japan, Singapore and Australia). There is a fairly even gender split (59 per cent men and 41 per cent women) and the average age of respondents is 40 years old.
Objectives
The objective of this survey was to gauge the views of managers as employees and HR managers as employers about the merits and reality of work/life balance.
In addition, the survey set out to explore the following related issues:
• How managers assess and cope with the impact of stress on their work and private lives
• How widespread flexible working policies really are
• Whether work/life balance can benefit both parties
• Managers views on the impact of flexible work arrangements on business performance
Summary
Managers are increasingly aware that stress and pressure in the office is affecting their performance at work and, by extension, their overall sense of professional and personal satisfaction. Work-related activities dominate their lives, leaving scant time for leisure, friends or family.
HR managers are the link between employees and their employing organisation. Conflicting demands from both parties put HR in an awkward position and it is hardly surprising that in our survey, HR managers were among the most stressed executives. However, the research shows a shift in opinion. The majority of HR departments recognise that there are divergent interests, but are actively trying to broker a new contract between the organisation and its workforce, which looks to benefit both. Finally, the business community must recognise that the best employee is not necessarily a martyr to his or her career, but someone who wants to lead a fulfilling professional and personal life.
The complete study with multiple facts and figures is avaible in PDF as well as in paperback. Please order via contact form or by phone (Tel. +49 211 5 58 67 60).
