The Randstad quarterly workmonitor survey has found that around two-thirds (67%) of UK workers believe their workload increased in the second quarter of 2010, suggesting that staff need a break more than ever.
But 40% believe their workload does not allow them to take the amount of time off they would like and that fitting in holidays with colleagues is getting harder. With 63% of workers feeling they have to work harder when colleagues are away.
Even when they do go on holiday, workers find it difficult to switch off. The workmonitor survey found that nearly half of UK employees think a lot about work when they are away, while 43% receive questions and emails from colleagues during their break. The majority (61%) find that work has stacked up while they are on holiday and they are therefore busier when they get back.
But the workmonitor survey also found the more hours employees work, the better they feel. Of the people surveyed who work more than 40 hours per week, 65% are satisfied. Satisfaction dips the fewer hours that are worked – of the people who work 25-32 hours, 55% are satisfied.
Interestingly, the fear of age discrimination fuels growing doubts about job security and employability.
Nearly half of younger workers (18-24) in the UK have major concerns about losing their job, the highest of any age group. Nearly 90% of older workers (55 plus) would like to change jobs, but are far less confident about getting one than their younger counterparts.
Ruth Jacobs, operations director, Randstad Staffing, said: "Our survey indicates that taking a proper break is getting harder and productivity is suffering as a result. Flex cover over the holiday period would enable companies to meet deadlines and prevent colleagues from taking the strain of their co-workers being away, while allowing staff to enjoy their full allocation of leave and come back refreshed."
The survey found younger workers’ fear of losing their job rose sharply during the first half of 2010 – 48% of 18-24 year-olds are now very or fairly concerned compared with just 22% of 44-55 year-olds. This suggests that despite age legislation, younger workers can feel particularly vulnerable to the ‘last in, first out’ approach to redundancies.
Fear of discrimination is equally evident at the other end of the age spectrum. The survey reveals that 87% of workers aged over 55 would like a new job, the highest of any age group. Yet confidence declines sharply with age. Only 41% of older workers believe they can secure a comparable job in contrast with 82% of 18-24 year-olds and 79% of 25-34 year-olds.
