Those in the 25-34 age group are the most dissatisfied with their work/life balance, new research from YouGov reveals.
The Work Life Balance – The Tools for Retention report indicates that one in five (21%) 25-34s are unhappy with their work/life balance, compared to around one in six 18-24 year-olds (15%), 35-44 year-olds (14%) and 45-54 year-olds (17%). The study finds that just one in 10 (11%) over-55s are dissatisfied with their work-life balance.
Furthermore, four in 10 (41%) 25-34 year-olds believe there is sometimes an expectation from their boss or employer to work outside their normal hours. What’s more, a quarter (26%) say that there is pressure to work outside their regular work day.
Responding to communications is one of the major pressures employees feel. The report reveals over four in 10 (43%) read or send work-related emails outside of office hours, while for some even holidays aren’t an escape – with approaching two in five (38%) either making or receiving work phones calls while on holiday.
YouGov’s study finds that poor work-life balance can have a notable impact on employees. They tend to be more disengaged with life in general than the average person, envying their friends’ lifestyles (34%) and feeling alienated by modern life (46%).
The issue of maintaining a healthy work life balance is key to both employees and organisations. However, with many young people finding it tricky to find employment, the pressure to go above and beyond what should be normally expected is very real. Our data indicates that those in the 25-34 age group are people that HR professionals need to focus on and regular contact is needed in order to placate their worries and frustrations.
Image iStock
