 Majority of Teachers are Happy with Work-Life BalanceMore than half (56%) of teachers are happy with their work-life balance, compared to 59% of British workers as a whole Austerity has affected workloads, but freedom to complete administrative work at home may lead to a greater sense of work-life balance than working hours suggest Sense of work-life balance may be affected by plans to scrap limits of 1,265 hours a year currently in place for teachers
A survey of 2,000 employees revealed that while more than half of teachers (56%) are happy with their work-life balance, teachers are less happy than the national average of 59%. Those working in utilities (94%) and insurance (90%) were most happy with their work-life balance, despite those sectors having some of the longest average working weeks in the UK. Those least happy with their work-life balance were accountants (42%) and financial services (47%) – yet accountants have a shorter average working week than the UK average. Randstad Education also compared the findings to the amount people in each sector were paid. The results suggest the amount people earn does not affect how happy they are with their work-life balance. For instance, those working in media and leisure are among the lowest paid in the UK, with average gross weekly earnings of £402.50 – yet these are some of the happiest sectors in the UK in terms of their work-life balance. By contrast, those working in financial services and accountancy earn far more than the national average, but are the least happy. Those working in education earn more than the average weekly wage, and their average working week is shorter than the UK average, but they are still less happy than average with their work-life balance. Jenny Rollinson, managing director of Randstad Education said, “Work- “Most teachers are generally happy with their work-life balance, but during term time their working day extends far beyond classroom hours. Marking the workbooks of five classes, with 30 pupils in each, as well as planning for future lessons all takes time, and it’s easy for teachers to feel under pressure. The recent announcement of plans to scrap the limits on the number of hours teachers work each year will certainly have an impact on work-life balance and may increase the gap between teachers happy with their work-life balance and the national average. The situation could also be impacted by growing class sizes and fewer qualified teachers. “But despite so many negative media reports about teachers being unhappy with their workloads, the research shows that the majority of teachers are actually quite content when it comes to their work-life balance. The key to better balance is not simply to work shorter hours or to earn more cash. A more holistic approach is needed in order to find rewarding work to interest and engage us. It’s not simply about putting up with anything in exchange for more money or time.” SECTORS HIT HARDEST BY THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AND AUSTERITY MEASURES Sectors hit hardest by government austerity measures and the effects of the global financial crisis are less happy with their work-life balance – as are those working in white-hot industries. Professionals in education and nursing are feeling overstretched, as are financial services and accountancy professionals, along with those working in the engineering and rail sectors. Jenny Rollinson said, “I don’t think anyone would deny that teachers work extremely hard and it’s true that austerity measures are biting hard. Many are coping with increased workloads and reduced teams. But accelerated learning in lean teams can have some benefits by giving passionate educators’ “So far in 2013, the average number of supply teachers working each week is higher than at any point in the last five years. In order to retain key staff and maintain morale in overstretched departments, schools can consider using supply teachers to ease the burden when possible.” PART-TIME WORK AND GENDER DIFFERENCES Randstad’ Contrary to the commonly-held belief, the increase in part-time working hours is not a reaction to the changing demands of employers. flexibility@ Jenny Rollinson said, “The growth in flexible part-time employment that provides a better work-life balance is being driven by employees – not employers. Four out of every five part-time workers don’t want to work full-time. Part-time work is also a female phenomenon – in the UK only 12% of men work part-time compared to 42% of women. With our study suggesting 50% more women are unhappy with their work-life balance than men, it’s clear more women are demanding part-time work to fit around their lives.” ENDS - NOTES TO EDITORS Randstad Education is part of the Randstad group, one of the leading recruitment & HR services providers in the world with a top five position in the UK and a top three position in fifteen countries including the US, France and Germany. In the UK, Randstad’ At the end of 2012, Randstad had 1,750 corporate employees in the UK, working in 203 locations. UK revenue in 2012 was €799 million. Randstad Holding nv was founded in 1960 and is headquartered in Diemen, the Netherlands and listed on the NYSE Euronext Amsterdam. For more information see www.randstad.co.uk and www.randstad.com. PRESS CONTACTS The Wriglesworth Consultancy James Craig, Account Manager, j.craig@wriglesworth.com 020 7427 1405 Adam Jones, Senior Account Executive, a.jones@wriglesworth.com 020 7427 1403 Photos: https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.prlog.org/ https://www.prlog.org/ End
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