Work/life balance issues

Accenture surveyed 200 professionals in the U.S. and found that 79% said it is important to maintain a balance between their work and personal lives, yet 53% acknowledge that they work on vacation.

Younger people and those without dependents are the least likely to work on vacation. The generation difference, according to the survey, is:
• Generation Y respondents (those born after 1979) — 38% work on vacation
• Baby Boomers (those born before 1964) — 71%
• Generation X respondents (those born between 1965 and 1978) — 49%

Less than half (44% of respondents without dependents said they work on vacation, versus almost two-thirds (61%) of those with dependents.

Accenture noted: “Organizations that are committed to developing and advancing their people will openly discuss these issues and create programs – such as flexible work arrangements – that help them achieve a satisfactory balance between their work and personal pursuits.”

Also, 94% of men say they work on vacation, and read and respond to e-mail, compared to 83% of women who said the same.

Other survey results include:
• When asked to identify their key priorities, respondents ranked work/life balance second, cited by 64% of all respondents, after salary/income (79%).

• More than four in 10 respondents (44%) said they sacrifice work/life balance in order to advance their careers.

• Men were more likely than women to say that it’s important for them to be available when their families and children need them (68% of men vs. 46% of women) and to have flexibility in their work schedule (49% vs. 39%).

• Men were also more likely than women to say they take advantage of the opportunity to work from home when offered (91% of men vs. 75% of women).