Industry news
Flexible working 'eases stress'
Posted Thu, 01 Sep 2011
Offering flexible work can help businesses reduce stress levels among employees, according to a new study.
A survey of small and medium business (SME) managers found that 81% had experienced negative effects from devoting too much time to work. More than half (56%) had endured stress while a third said they had suffered poor health. Meanwhile, 27% admitted that their poor work-life balance had contributed to marriage or relationship problems and 10% even said it had caused a divorce or separation.
However, 83% of these people said flexible working had eased their problems, suggesting that businesses can help staff to improve their work-life balance and productivity by offering increased flexibility.
The Avaya survey involved 700 SME senior managers working in the UK and Germany. Commenting on the findings, Avaya EMEA president Michael Bayer said: "Where businesses clearly recognise and understand the benefits, they now need to put the tools and solutions in place to make it have a real impact on peoples' lives."
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