Big Brother bosses are the biggest threat to returners to work

Pitman Trainingís annual ëReturn to Workí survey has revealed that the big brother effect (having phone calls, emails, and websites monitored), is the greatest fear of the thousands of people returning to work in the UK this year after a period of time away from the office. While last yearís returners were most worried about how to juggle parenthood with employment, that fear now seems to be slightly less prominent, thanks in part to the positive image of celebrity mums and dads portrayed in the press.



However, it would seem that the influence of the press has impacted on this yearís results too. With the ID card debate raging on, issues of individual privacy have been high on the agenda. This yearís survey results subsequently show that more than two thirds of respondents (68%), ranging in age from 20-50 year olds, fear potential new bosses will be breathing down their necks over private phone calls, personal emails and the nature of websites they visit ñ up 30% on last year.

Other findings reveal that 33% of the men and women who took part in the survey claimed to be going back to work because of the need to earn money. However 23% admitted their return to the office has been spurred by the scope and range of training incentives on offer, further career prospects and boosted earning potential. But deciding to go back to work, and gearing up the confidence to get through that all-important first day are two different matters.

While just a third of those questioned said they were worried about how to use computers, phone systems and email, 66% admitted they were terrified of making the right impression and fitting in with new colleagues. Michael Graham, managing director of Pitman Training said: ìYear after year, weíre seeing that peopleís confidence in their ability to do the job is increasing. Theyíre preparing themselves well, understanding the importance of training, and making the effort to learn new skills which look good on their CV. Indeed, this year, 80% of our survey respondents admit the reason for undertaking a training course is to give them more confidence in todayís competitive job market.î

One recent returner, Myah Tully said: Having been out of work for a year, the prospect of getting back into work was certainly daunting. I worried about things which now seem silly and trivial. I was scared I wouldnít fit in, and wouldnít know how to operate internal office systems. The one thing that gave me the confidence was knowing that I had the skills needed to do my job. Under the New Deal scheme, I was able to work through Pitman Trainingís New CLAiT course which not only equipped me with some invaluable skills, but also gave me that extra something on my CV which in turn gave me lots more confidence in interviews.

Now working towards her NVQ in Business Administration at the Norwich Office of Regional Car Parks, Myah added: Iíve been working here for two months and from day one I realised all my fears were unfounded. I was made to feel like part of the team immediately, I have bosses I can trust and talk to if I have any problems and I thrive on the buzz that being in a job I love gives me. I have no doubt that if I was offered a full time position here, I wouldnít refuse.

Like Myah, the majority of people returning to work this year will find they neednít have worried about nightmare bosses and rigid working policies. Despite the fact that 50% of those questioned are concerned about making private phone calls during office time (up more than 20% on 2004), and nearly two thirds fear that asking for time off due to child related emergencies will jeopardise their positions, most employers are sympathetic to their employees circumstances.

Michael Graham added: ìBosses are human too. They realise that some phone calls have to be made between the hours of nine and five. Theyíre also aware that the odd family emergency can crop up from time to time which will result in their staff turning up late, or in some circumstances not make it in to the office at all. But at the same time they know that hard working, properly skilled employees are a precious commodity and are therefore likely to be as understanding as they possibly can.î

With Pitman Training, thousands of men and women are returning to work with added confidence. Providing a flexible training schedule that fits into even the busiest lifestyle, Pitman Training allows people to learn in a way thatís most convenient to them. Those who are still working full time with redundancies looming can fit in training as and when they find the time, busy mums can work through their chosen course at their own pace while those with lots of free time on their hands can work through the course intensively. Regardless of when the course is completed, all candidates receive the same, nationally recognised certification. Courses can be part or full time and can be taken at any time including evenings and weekends, either in a tutor led classroom or individually, with a Pitman Training expert on hand to provide support.

For more information on Pitman Training courses, call 0800 220454 or visit