Employees happier with hours and work–life balance

New statistics have suggested a rise in workers’ happiness with working hours and work–life balance, despite the fact that the latest Office for National Statistics data shows the average working week is getting longer.

The research, by HR consultancy ETS, found that 85% of employees are happy with their working hours and 77% say the same about their work–life balance – increases of 4% year-on-year.

In addition, 79% of workers say that senior management communicates well with them (up from 70%), 85% of workers know what the company wants to achieve (up from 77%) and 88% of workers fully understand how their role fits in to company objectives (up from 80%).

Hannah Stratford, Head of Business Psychology at ETS, said:

“Despite the average hours worked creeping up for many employees, the increased happiness with their hours worked and work–life balance suggests companies are communicating better with staff, setting objectives more effectively and recognising and rewarding employees who have taken on additional responsibilities.”

However, she added that the trends can also be partly attributed to the higher profile of employee engagement since the launch of the MacLeod Review in 2009.

ETS also found that 80% of employees report being encouraged by their company to find new ways of working and be innovative (up from 73% in 2010). A further 74% of employees claim that companies are quicker in adopting new ideas (up from 70% last year).

Stratford said:

“There’s also an argument that employees are more empowered and have greater autonomy to make decisions, which has mitigated any potential dissatisfaction with slightly longer working hours.”

She added:

“The likelihood is that a combination of factors, rather than any single one, has influenced employees' increased satisfaction with their working hours and work–life balance.”