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Almost half of Bristol’s office workers have signed up to work during the Christmas break this year with 26% having to travel to the office to do so.
This is despite nearly a third believing that very little work will actually be achieved.
Even those who are supposedly on holiday won’t be out of touch. Some 62% will check work emails regularly on their mobile devices, and two fifths (43%) will be expected to do some work.
But the results of the survey, by serviced office firm Regus, shows that with productivity expected to be low, festive working provides little value to employers and often scuppers workers’ chances of a restful break.
Not surprisingly 28% of those taking part in the survey say that working on holiday has caused “serious upset” for family, friends or partners in the past. As a result, some 49% plan to take more holiday in 2012.
Technology has enabled many positive changes in workplace practices – not least mobile and remote working – but the survey from Regus highlights the danger of not switching off.
Regional director Celia Donne said: “Our research suggests many people in Bristol are not taking full advantage of the Christmas break and, if they are also travelling into the office to work, are unnecessarily squandering precious time with their loved ones.
“Over Christmas, flexible working options are more important than ever: employers should be ensuring that they offer some degree of choice in where and when staff work, whether that’s flexible hours, home-working or using a workplace closer to home rather than commuting.
“It is ironic that the very technology that affords us flexibility and freedom from the traditional fixed office set-up also blurs the distinction between work and home life. Stress and burn-out are very real threats, and employers in the city must ensure that they harness the many positive aspects of today’s technology while encouraging a healthy work/life balance amongst staff.”
