A recent YouGov survey found that employees aged 25-34 are more dissatisfied with their work-life balance than any other age group. Around one in five of the 1,995 respondents aged 25-34 said they were unhappy with their current work-life balance, with almost half saying there was an expectation in their workplace to work outside of normal hours. The next least satisfied group were the 18-24 year olds, with around one in six admitting to being unhappy with the hours they were being asked to work.
The survey revealed that as workers get older they tend to become happier with their work-life balance. The number of 35-44 year olds who were unhappy fell to just 14 percent, before rising slightly to 17 percent of 45-54 year olds. The happiest group by far were the over 55s, with just 11 percent saying they were not satisfied with the balance between their private and professional lives.
The importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance
The issue of maintaining a healthy work-life balance is incredibly important not just for employees, but also for their employers. The digital revolution has made it easier to stay connected than ever before, but that makes it more difficult for many people to separate their private and professional lives.
One of the biggest complaints in the YouGov poll was the problem caused by dealing with work-related correspondence at home. More than four in ten of those questioned said they send work emails outside of office hours, while 38 percent said they tend to make and receive work phone calls while on holiday.
While clearly not good for employees, this situation is also not beneficial for employers. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not only important for an individual’s personal health and relationships, but it also improves the performance of an individual at work, reduces burnout and improves concentration.
The male-female divide
Another study conducted earlier in the year found that work-life balance was a significant problem for a growing number of UK workers. On that occasion, 60 percent of the employees surveyed admitted to not having a good work-life balance, while only a third said they usually leave work on time.
The figures also revealed a divide between the remuneration men and women receive for working the extra hours. While 43 percent of men said they are paid overtime for the additional hours they work, only 30 percent of women claimed to get extra pay.
Which companies offer the best work-life balance?
A recent study has been conducted into the employers offering the best work-life balance, and with banks, oil companies and supermarkets all on the list, the results may surprise a few.
The ten employers offering the best work-life balance are:
1. Goodman Masson
2. Cisco Systems
3. HomeServe UK
4. LOLA Staffing
5. Screwfix
6. American Express
7. BP
8. Peninsula Business Services
9. ARM Holdings
10. Unilever
How can we help?
Are you unhappy with the work-life balance in your current workplace? Do you have a second-language skill you’d like to use? At Linguistica Recruitment, we have a range of fantastic bilingual roles on the South Coast with some of the UK’s best employers. Browse our current vacancies and call 02392 987 765 or email: info@linguistica-recruitment.com for more information about any of our roles.