HARD DAY’S WORK
»»over half of us are stressed doing our job »»48% do extra hours without additional pay »»52% say they have excessive workload
MORE than half of workers feel stressed doing their job, while almost half are working extra hours for no additional reward, a study revealed yesterday.
The report, which quizzed 1,700 people, showed women are more stressed than men – 57% compared to 47%.
It found 48% are not rewarded for working longer hours than they are contracted for. Meanwhile, a third are stressed by having to work late most days according to the Matrix Recruitment Salary and Benefits Survey.
Joanne Foley from the firm said: “We didn’t expect this figure to be so high. “Anecdotally we know that people are working longer hours and I don’t think it is unreasonable for employees to work late from time to time, particu- larly during busy periods. But late nights and weekend hours should be the exception not the norm and shouldn’t be expected without reasonable recompense.”
A significant 52% of those surveyed said they had an excessive workload, while 44% reported they did not receive enough support from management or colleagues.
Having to work extra hours is not unusual for today’s workforce – 22% receive overtime payments whilst 20% are awarded days in lieu. Despite the late nights, 70% say they have a good work/life balance. Ms Foley said half work more than 41 hours every week.
She added: “I don’t see this as a positive trend as it doesn’t support the notion of a good work/life balance and can lead to dissatisfied and burnt out staff.”