More than half of workers lose sleep worrying about their position or experience other work-related stress according to a Canada Life poll.
What is more, two fifths of the 1,006 individuals in full or part-time employment, found surveyed, said they sometimes stay up late or get up early to check emails, with men more likely to do so than women (34 per cent versus 18 per cent).
The research also suggests, according to the life company, that employer attitudes are failing to encourage positive health and exercise habits – with 27 per cent of the sample stating they believe their boss and/or colleagues would disapprove if they used their full lunch hour to exercise.
Meanwhile, 42 per cent of respondents agreed with the sentiment that stress or pressure in the workplace causes them to overeat or make unhealthy food choices, while the majority of employees (62 per cent) skip meals when busy at work.
Paul Avis, marketing director at Canada Life Group Insurance, said: “Stress can be just as damaging for staff as physical conditions, with 15.8m working days lost last year to such mental health issues.
“Tackling stress at its root will help reduce sickness absence rates and improve productivity – not to mention give staff a better night’s sleep.”
Adviser view
Richard Ross, director at Norwich-based Chadwicks, said: “I think it is very important [to have a good work/life balance], but it is increasingly difficult to accomplish in this day and age. We are living in a 24-hour world, and clients will look at their financial affairs outside of their working hours and will therefore want to contact you then. I think we have to walk the narrow tightrope of giving clients the service they want and finding enough time for yourself.”
