The 2008 Executive Summary to the Report 'Work Life Balance in Australia in the New Millenium: Rhetoric vs Reality' reports the findings of a study of over 11,000 knowledge workers across Australia. Respondents were both male and female, with dependants and without. Childcare and eldercare issues are examined.
Some other interesting findings were:
- 25% respondents worked more than 50 hrs/week + 6 hrs/week unpaid overtime
- 23% think of leaving their current organisation at least once a week or more
- 42% report high levels of work overload
- respondents are 3.6x more likely to prioritise work over family
The report calls for governments to pay attention to the work/life issues to address the falling birth rate and to change the tradition of focus on hours at work as a measure of productivity, contribution, loyalty and engagement.
Organisations are encouraged to increase their
- perceived flexibility
- number of genuinely supportive managers of flexibile work practices
- employees' sense of control over their work situations
and to decrease their employees' workloads. It is proposed that professional women do face a glass ceiling with respect to career opportunities and advanacement. Women with child or eldercare responsibilities, in particular, appear to be disadvantaged.
It's great to see that such a large scale study being undertaken - let's hope governments and organisations take note so that the next generation of working mothers don't have to struggle as much!!
Full report at : http://www.beaton.com.au/pdfs/BC_WorkLifeBal_summary.pdf
