Business supportMore than half of Brits feel overworked in their jobs, new data...

More than half of Brits feel overworked in their jobs, new data reveals

New statistics released this week show that millions of Brits feel overworked in their job, struggling to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

According to a new employee wellness study from Jukebox Marketing, an international PR agency, 53 per cent of British workers complain of being overworked.

This is not only damaging to the health of a worker, but also affects performance in their roles. Managing their working day effectively will help reduce physical and mental health risks, alongside boosting productivity levels.

For any professional, a healthy work-life balance is vital. Whether that’s completing a daily walking target, or spending time with their families, workers must find time to switch off from their job tasks. Failure to separate their home life from the office can result in an inability to maintain a balanced diet, struggle with an unhealthy sleep pattern, and keep a consistent exercise routine. This can lead to serious physical health issues down the line, such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes.

An unhealthy work-life balance can also lead to higher levels of stress, which may result in forced time off work – a recent study found that a fifth of Brits in the past year have needed time off work due to high stress levels. This only leads to a decline in work performance, alongside growth levels for your business. Concerningly, 38 per cent of workers have also admitted to feeling less productive at work due to lack of sleep.

Jukebox has released a report on employee wellbeing and how workers are able to balance their work-life schedule. Here are the findings of the report:

  • 72% say their first morning drink is coffee or tea

  • 44% regularly eat lunch whilst working, as they feel they do not have time to have a full lunch break

  • 41% do not have time to keep fit with the stresses of work and life

  • 47% say their current job role makes it difficult to achieve 10,000 steps a day

  • 60% now make their lunch at home more than ever before due to rising food costs

  • 52% regularly read work messages, emails, or take work calls outside of their contracted hours

  • 38% say their workload pressures limit their daily quality time with their family

Many UK employees are relying on caffeinated drinks to cope with tiredness at work. However, while a morning tea or coffee may initially wake you up, this can lead to an energy crash in the afternoon, meaning that workers will have even less time to complete job tasks, leading to higher stress levels.

It’s also not just work that is affecting the wellbeing of employees. The cost-of-living crisis has seen bills rise further this year. As a result, more than half of workers are making lunch at home more than ever before.

Stephen Jury, Managing Director of Jukebox Marketing, said: “Brits appear to be feeling the pressures of work, and, with further issues such as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, managing stress levels is now more difficult than ever before.

“An unhealthy work-life balance not only leads to physical and mental health risks for your employees, but also growth risks for your business – workers are taking time off due to stress, resulting in absences.

“If you want your business to be as strong as possible, ensure that your employees have enough time to complete basic exercise and spend time with their families. A healthier employee means a healthier business.”

Employee Wellness Report at https://jukebox.marketing/employee-wellbeing/

Helen Greaney
Helen Greaney
I'm a journalist with more than 18 years' experience on local, regional and national newspapers, as well as PR and digital marketing. Crime and the courts is my specialist area but I'm also keen to hear your stories concerning Manchester and the greater North West region.
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