Mitrefinch Blog – Employers focusing on work-life balance as part of a drive to improve workforce management and productivity need to consider issues other than pay and hours, new research suggests.

64% of employees in south-east England and the Yorkshire and Humber region are happy with their work-life balance, according to a survey of 2,000 people by recruitment firm Randstad.

This is despite the south-east having one of the longest working weeks in the UK.

South-west England was found to have a shorter average working week than most of Britain, but the proportion of people in this area satisfied with their work-life balance (55 per cent) was among the lowest of any region, along with the east of England (51 per cent).

Looking at wage trends, Randstad concluded that the amount people are paid does not affect how happy they are with the balance between their personal and working lives.

Employees in London, for instance, earn more than their counterparts in all other regions, but are not as content as those in the north-west.

People with jobs in the Yorkshire and Humber area earn less than the national average but are happier than the typical British worker, according to the research.

Mark Bull, managing director of Randstad UK, said recent economic adversity has turned work-life balance into "something of a national concern", as many people are under more pressure both at work and at home.

"This research proves that the key to better balance is not simply to work shorter hours or earn more cash," he added.

"A more holistic approach is needed to find rewarding work that interests and engages us. It’s not simply about putting up with anything in return for more money or time."

Earlier this year, Randstad predicted that one of the biggest recruitment and talent management trends for 2013 will be the development and engagement of existing staff to realise their full potential.