Attitudes To Work And Play Is Changing
Research for WFD reveals that for today's 16-35 year old professional, balancing the demands of a career and home life is an increasing concern, 92% saying that it is very or fairly important.
When asked about commitment towards their employers, full-time employees rated the work / life balance above the challenge of their job, the quality of their immediate manager and even the opportunity for promotion. One in five would be prepared to accept a pay cut in order to have more free time.
| Very concerned | Fairly concerned | Not very concerned | Not at all concerned | No opinion | |
| % | % | % | % | % | |
| The security of your job | 27 | 34 | 24 | 15 | 1 |
| Your ability to get ahead | 12 | 30 | 38 | 16 | 4 |
| Having too little time with your family | 17 | 34 | 31 | 16 | 2 |
| Having too little time with yourself | 16 | 33 | 35 | 15 | 1 |
Younger workers (under 35) of both sexes are the most likely to feel that they cannot have a good family life and get ahead in their current job with 26% of males under 45 feeling this most keenly. Single people are also no less dissatisfied than married couples or those with children.
Of the 50% of all respondents who worry about having too little time outside work, concern is greatest amongst managers, the highest earners, those in large companies and the professions. Half of those earning over 16317,500 are concerned compared to just over a third of those earning under 1639,500.
Businesses are beginning to realise that helping employees achieve a better balance between their work and personal lives is the factor most likely to encourage them to stay within the company, particularly the highest performers who are the most able to work for themselves or leave for a more sympathetic employer.
Technical details
MORI interviewed 780 full-time workers in a quota sample of c. 2,000 adults face-to-face, in home between 6-9 June 1997.
