British Employees Struggle to Balance Work and Life According to Major New Survey

LONDON, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- 70% of British employees want their employers to offer flexible working times according to a new survey released today by leading research consultancy Alternative Futures and online survey specialists Ciao AG.

The National Employee Opinion Survey interviewed a representative cross- section of 1,000 UK employees. It found job satisfaction to be highest amongst employees in Wales and Scotland and lowest amongst employees in London.

The survey showed that 46% of British employees find their workplace stressful, and that across the country 25% of employees would choose to work part-time, if given the opportunity. In fact, 26% of employees felt their health was suffering because of their work. 31% stated they had 'thrown a sickie' in the past because they had felt unable to explain the true reason for an absence to their employers. 74% of employees would like to have the ability to take a day's holiday at short notice, to prevent this kind of work- life dilemma from arising.

"Our research shows that across British businesses, work-life balance is now second only to pay in terms of what matters most in a job. And for employees in the public sector, achieving work-life balance has assumed greater importance than pay," commented Gordon Adams, Managing Director of Alternative Futures.

While a quarter of employees are able to work from home occasionally, the survey shows the number of homeworkers could double in future. Those who are able to work from home enjoy much higher job satisfaction than those who don't.Gordon Adams continued, "With over a third of employees telling us that they expect to change jobs in the next two years, there could be a win-win here if British industry sharpens up to more flexible working practices.

"Survey results also indicate that less than one in five British employees would definitely recommend their employer to others. Just 39% considered their organization to be led and managed well from the top and only 40% thought internal communications within their organizations were good.

Concluded Gordon Adams, "Successful managers know that winning the hearts and minds of staff is vital to success. The twin challenges to British Directors are to be seen to be leadership and to find ways to keep their employees with them."

Notes for editors

The National Employee Survey is a major benchmark survey of British employee opinion. It was carried out in March 2005 and consisted of 1,000 online interviews with a representative cross-section of British employees across both public and private sectors. The survey is sponsored by Alternative Futures Research Ltd, a leading research consultancy, in partnership with Ciao AG, Europe's leading provider of online market research panels.

Alternative Futures is a leading research consultancy based in Milton Keynes. It regularly runs focus groups and surveys for business and specialises in providing creative solutions to business challenges. Website: http://www.alternativefutures.biz

Ciao AG is a subsidiary of Greenfield Online, Inc., a leading independent provider of Internet survey solutions to the global marketing research industry. Greenfield Online has built and actively manages a global online panel comprised of over 5.7 million individuals residing in households containing an estimated 14.8 million people worldwide. This proprietary panel allows Greenfield Online and its subsidiaries to supply clients with diverse, demographically representative survey research data. Websites: http://www.greenfield.com and http://www.ciao-ag.com

Press contact:
Katherine Allan
+44 (0) 207 395 1240
press@ciao-ag.com

SOURCE Ciao AG is a subsidiary of Greenfield Online, Inc.

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