Report: Work Life Balance

50% of employees said better work-life balance would make them professionally and personally happier, while 35% of people would rather work shorter hours than win the lottery, according to research conducted by specialist recruitment consultancy Hays.

The recruiter's Australian Workplace Series on work/life balance also found that 78% of people interviewed said they want a better work-life balance. Of these people, 30.5% think their career would suffer if they did. Yet 89% think they would produce stronger results at work if they had a better work-life balance.

30% of people interviewed said they were currently suffering from high stress levels. Of these people, 86% said they currently have no access to flexible working practices.

54.5% of people interviewed work 40 to 49 hours per week, while 19.5% work over 60 hours. 82.5% of people said they work overtime, yet 74% of these are not rewarded for this with extra pay or time off in lieu.

70% of people interviewed said they are currently not suffering from high stress levels. Of these people, 66% said they play regular sport.

Commenting on the Australian Workplace Series, Jacky Carter, Director of Hays said: "The phrase 'work-life balance' has been heard in the market since 1986, however it has only been recently that businesses have really begun incorporating it into their day-to-day operations.

"When 56.5% of employees say their company implies longer working weeks are a necessity for career advancement though, and 78% of employees indicate they want a better work-life balance, it is clear Australian workplaces have not yet found a balance that helps employees combine their work responsibilities with the other responsibilities in their life."

According to Jacky, common flexible working arrangements are time off in lieu, staggered hours, flexi-time options, compressed work hours, working from home and job-sharing.

This research is the first of Hays' Australian Workplace Series which will examine a workplace issue affecting Australian employees and workplaces each quarter. The data is gained from current candidates by Hays consultants from 24 office locations across Australia. It coincided with a survey conducted on hays.com.au which received 955 responses.

Hays is Australasia's leading group of specialist recruitment consultancies, employing over 4,500 temporaries weekly and placing over 6,000 candidates annually in both the private and public sector. Hays is ranked in the world's top 10 largest recruitment consultancies with over 200 offices located across Australasia, the UK and Europe. Our parent company, Hays plc, has a turnover of over £2 billion and employs over 27,000 people globally.

FULL QUESTIONS & RESULTS:

Candidate sex: Male: 56.5% Female: 43.5%
Candidate age: 26 to 35: 50%, 36 to 45: 26%, 46 to 55: 17.5% 56 or over: 6.5%
How many hours a week do you work: Under 40: 26%, 40 to 49: 54.5%, 50 to 59: 0, 60 plus: 19.5%.
Do you work overtime? Yes: 82.5%, No: 17.5%
If yes, are you rewarded with extra pay or time off in lieu? Yes: 26%, No: 74%
Does your company imply that longer working weeks (60-70 hours) are a necessity for career advancement? Yes: 56.5%, No: 43.5%
Do you want a better work-life balance? Yes: 78%, No: 22%
Do you think you would produce stronger results at work if you had a better work-life balance? Yes: 74%, No: 26%
Do you think your career would suffer if you had a better work-life balance? Yes: 28%, No: 72%
Have you ever suffered stress at work? Yes: 82.5%, No: 17.5%
If yes, did you have access to flexible working practices? Yes: 26% No: 74%
Are you currently suffering from high stress levels? Yes: 30%, No: 70%
Do you currently have access to flexible working practices? Yes: 35%, No: 65%
Would you rather: Work shorter hours: 35%, Win the lottery: 65%
When will your employer step in to redress a work-life problem: As soon as asked: 48%, Only when a crisis looms: 39%, Never: 13%
Do you play regular sport? Yes: 52%, No: 48%

hays.com.au survey result: What would make you happier personally and professionally?

1. Better work life balance - 50%
2. Career progression - 26.9%
3. A pay rise - 23.2%

Responses: 955