Employees feel pressure to put work before family life

31% of employees in the North West feel pressure to put work before family life

Research highlights the immense pressure felt by employees in the North West and the rest of the UK to prioritise work ahead of relationships.

As many as 31% of workers in the North West say their boss thinks work should come before family life, according to a new report.

The reserach by Relate and Relationships Scotland concludes that overworked employees’ relationships suffer as the build-up of stress at work takes its toll.

The research also found that:

• 32% of employees in the North West say they feel pressured to work by their manager even when they are ill.
• Over a quarter (27%) of employees in the North West agree that stress at home adversely affects them at work.
• 43% of employees in the North West say they would like their employer to offer relationship support.

Employees struggling to balance work and family are more likely to become ill, perform less well and resign; but those satisfied with work and work-life balance are more likely to perform better and be more productive. The Labour of Love or Love vs Labour report calls for employers to aspire to offer flexible working arrangements as default and to provide free relationship support as part of Employee Assistance Programmes. Relate GMS is supporting the report and urging employers in The North West to take action.

Relate Counsellor Clare Prendergast said: “As this study highlights, work-life balance in this country is shockingly poor and this is hugely damaging for our relationships and overall wellbeing – as well as for productivity. That’s why Relate GMS is calling on local employers to take more responsibility for the pressure that stress and lack of work-life balance can put on relationships at home.”

As well as the impact of work pressures on relationships at home, the report also looks at workplace relationships with colleagues and bosses. The good news is that 68% of employees in the North West say they have a good relationship with their boss and 73% reported good relationships with colleagues.

Ms Prendergast added: “It’s positive that so many people in the North West have a good relationship with their boss and colleagues but there’s clearly still some room for improvement. As such, we suggest employers think carefully about how they can better foster good workplace relationships.”