According to a Chartered Management Institute survey more than a third felt that they were overloaded with work and that it was causing a rise in health, particularly stress related problems.
The average manager is working an extra 90 minutes a day just to keep up impacting on family time with many not seeing children at all on weekdays.
Worryingly more than a third would leave if they could find another job, employers watch out!
The truth is that when recession bites the accountants begin to call the shots cutting staff levels and paring costs wherever possible. Fewer staff means more work for each remaining member which gradually makes them more stressed and less efficient. Add to that the increase in sickness and the company itself starts to be affected by inefficiencies or reputation.
Downsizing must be done very carefully in association with structural and procedural changes to improve processes otherwise the weak links will soon be exposed.
As for the poor overworked staff members they work on afraid to admit they are being swamped in fear of their own job. No-one will notice until they are not there, signed off with stress which will probably be too late.
The survey shows a particular worrying trend when compared to 2007. 43% do not take sick leave when ill against 32% in 2007, a sure indication that they are worried for their jobs.
The solution is obviously to reduce the burden – more staff but what employer in the current market has the confidence to do so?
