More Junior employees value work-life balance

Two in five (42%) junior level employees believe a good work-life balance helps them be more productive at work and happier in general, while less than a third (29%) of employees at board level and above believe a work-life balance helps their productivity, a The Future Workplace report has found.

Supporting this finding, a quarter (25%) of clerical and non-managerial workers said they prefer not to mix their personal and work lives, compared with only 14% of senior managers and directors.

Nearly three quarters (73%) of workers said they feel they’re expected to always be available for work.

Junior workers in particular said they feel “overwhelmed” by the tools and means of communication they use on a daily basis.

“Employers are often very good at looking after senior staff who are perceived as having higher levels of stress, but they are in danger of overlooking the needs of junior and non-managerial workers,” said Unum VP of HR benefits Linda Levesque.

“Benefits like Income Protection, which supports employees financially if they fall ill as well as Mental Health First Aid training for line managers, help organisations demonstrate they understand the needs of all staff members.”

“Through providing practical support for staff, employers can help prevent periods of extended illness and absence for employees right across the organisation.”

The report found that 45% of junior staff strongly agreed that it is as important to take care of mental clarity and wellbeing as their physical wellbeing, compared with only 34% of senior managers and directors.

Clerical workers strongly agreed that flexible work, the ability to work from home and choosing when to work contracted hours improves health and wellbeing. They are three times more likely to agree to flexible working than board members.