A new report has found that almost a third (30%) of energy staff feel their wellbeing is “at risk” by working outside regular working hours.
The study found that 31% of workers consider irregular working hours to negatively impact productivity and quality of output.
Conducted by global insurance broker Lockton, more than 100 multinational energy companies and 250 HR directors in the sector were interviewed as part of the research.
The report also found that 78% of staff from large firms are “contractually obliged” to be available for work outside office hours.
Lockton’s Global Benefits Forum Survey found that a growing number of multinational firms now offer mental wellbeing (42%) in correlation with the reports finding that 30% of respondents believing that “having to be available around the clock” is detrimentally affecting mental health in the workplace.
The report claims that by offering staff a more effective work/life balance employers could outweigh “longer term damage to employees’ wellbeing”.
The research also found that health and productivity pressures are forcing many employees to draw a line between their work and home lives, as 73% of employees say they would refuse to accept a role that required them to being online outside of office hours as part of their job.
However, over a third (35%) of HR directors surveyed note that being online at home is expected as part of a role at their company.
Chris Rofe, senior vice president of UK and International Benefits Practice at Lockton, said: “Many employers are ‘not walking the talk’ when it comes to work life balance. With employers spending millions on health and wellbeing initiatives, many are failing to acknowledge one of the biggest risks to their employees’ health and wellbeing.
“This just doesn’t make sense and leaves employees performing sub optimally or at worst, burning out altogether. Even the most dedicated and driven employees reach their limit and employers owe it to all employees to ensure appropriate down time to re-charge and re-energise.”
