Balancing work and home life is the biggest challenge following a promotion
Culture of long working hours prevails
Nearly half feel guilty for not putting in extra hours
Employers need to help their staff balance their work and home lives following a promotion or risk losing them to another company, according to new research released today by leading recruitment consultancy Robert Half Finance & Accounting. The survey was conducted with 1,100 finance professionals in the UK, and examines the challenges they face around promotion.
The survey carried out in conjunction with Accountancy Age magazine reveals that one in three (39 per cent) of finance professionals find balancing their work and home lives the most challenging part of gaining a promotion.
Interestingly the survey reveals that there are no major differences between men (39 per cent) and women (40 per cent), but those in the 36 to 55 age brackets appear to find balancing their work and home lives the biggest challenge (44 per cent) compared to only 28 per cent of those aged 25 or under.
The results of the survey suggest finance professionals may not be achieving a satisfactory work / life balance due to the hours that they work. One in three (31 per cent) claim to work a 46 hour week or more, and of those five per cent work more than 55 hours per week. Men claim to work longer hours than women (37 per cent putting in a 46 or more hour week compared to only 22 per cent of women).
The results also suggest that finance professionals are under pressure to put the extra hours in, with 44 per cent feeling guilty if they donít. However, the survey reveals that only nine per cent have ever had anyone complain that they havenít put in enough hours.
The survey goes on to reveal that finance professionals are not afraid to leave companies to get a better job (52 per cent having done so in the past) and worryingly 58 per cent are not satisfied with their current career progression.
Dave Jones, UK Managing Director of Robert Half Finance & Accounting, comments:
ìOur survey reveals a very serious message for employers ñ that finance professionals are not afraid to move companies to further their careers. They are looking for career development and employers have to not only work to retain their best people but help those who have been promoted cope with the new pressures of the job.
ìAchieving a healthy work life balance is one of the most difficult challenge employees face so they need some help from their bosses. Companies need to encourage their staff to work reasonable hours, and those in charge need to lead by example. Flexible working policies can bring huge rewards including higher employee productivity, motivation and commitment, as well as improved recruitment and retention.î
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Finance Professionals promote work life balance
Employers need to help their staff balance their work and home lives following a promotion or risk losing them to another company
