According to a survey carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Work-Life Balance Campaign and Management Today, many British employees would rather work more sensible hours than win the lottery. One in five workers want a better work life balance and that there has been a steep rise in the number of people who work excessive hours over the last two years.

The study also raises concerns about long hours and illness, as 7 out of 10 stressed workers do not have any access to formal flexible working practices. There is strong evidence to suggest that long hours and lack of flexible working options have a detrimental effect on stress levels.

Main Findings
– 1 in 6 (16%) of workers surveyed now work over 60 hours a week compared to just 1 in 8 (12%) of all UK workers in 2000

– The number of women working over 60 hours has more than doubled from 1 in 16 (6%) in 2000 to approximately 1 in 8 today (13%)

– Twice as many employees would rather work shorter hours than win the lottery

– Three quarters (75%) of employees currently work overtime, and of these, only a third (36%) are rewarded with extra pay or time off in lieu

– 7 out of 10 (72%) highly stressed workers do not have access to any formal flexible working practices

– The largest proportion of very stressed workers – 1 in 5 (19%) – are in their mid to late thirties

– 1 in 5 (19%) men have visited the doctor because of stress, rising to one quarter (23%) of over 40s

– Nearly half of employees (48%) say that their employer will only step in to redress a work-life problem when a crisis looms

– Over a quarter of workers (25%) would like to get a better balance but think that their career would suffer; and 4 in 10 (40%) unstressed workers play regular sport compared to one quarter (25%) of those with high stress levels.