Aus' lags behind Germany and the UK in Work/life balance

[Guest Aldo]

Women feeling hemmed in by work hours | The Australian

Australia placed ninth, below Germany and the UK but above France and Italy, four percentage points behind Norway in first place.

[Guest Impatient]

A quarter of full-time employees feel work regularly interferes with their personal lives,

 

Really? That is a shocker, who would have thought it? Sometimes these surveys really annoy me stating the obvious.

 

Interesting that it is women most affected - I wonder if that is the reality of equal conditions and working on careers etc catching up with them (tempted to say something about multi-tasking, but don't want to upset the girls too much...)

 

Also a perception issue, hence comparisons are only valid from a contentment persepective rather than a quality of life perspective. Spent loads of time in Italy and can't believe they work too hard, but do believe they think they do. Also, in my experience, the Germans work extremely hard, but make excellent use of their leisure time - stepping into that World might be difficult from another culture. IMO, of course!

[Guest Aldo]

Also, in my experience, the Germans work extremely hard, but make excellent use of their leisure time -

 

I don't believe the germans work any harder than Brits (physically), its just that they are so bloody efficient and their plant and machinery is always cutting edge. I do agree that the box heads do now how to do leisure time.

[Guest]

Well all I can say as a women who has worked in both countries my work/life balance is way better here BUT that's because I have made personal choices to ensure it is that way.

 

I do think thre is a myth that work/life blance is automatically better here AND IT ISN'T. On average the 'normal' working week is longer and the annual leave less.

 

The only thing is when you do leave work the time is more usable...I'll share my yesterday..

 

I left work at 14:15 (& yes I work full-time but I flex my hours so I can finish early twice a week), picked up my son from school, walked to the beach, I'm lucky enough to have friends with an arts studio overlooking the beach so brewed up and then sat and watched the dolphins in the bay whilst the kids played...I don't know what the official temperature was but my car registered 29 degrees

 

I am definately feeling balanced

[Guest guest30038]

Well all I can say as a women who has worked in both countries my work/life balance is way better here BUT that's because I have made personal choices to ensure it is that way.

 

I do think thre is a myth that work/life blance is automatically better here AND IT ISN'T. On average the 'normal' working week is longer and the annual leave less.

 

The only thing is when you do leave work the time is more usable...I'll share my yesterday..

 

I left work at 14:15 (& yes I work full-time but I flex my hours so I can finish early twice a week), picked up my son from school, walked to the beach, I'm lucky enough to have friends with an arts studio overlooking the beach so brewed up and then sat and watched the dolphins in the bay whilst the kids played...I don't know what the official temperature was but my car registered 29 degrees

 

I am definately feeling balanced

'

 

Take yer rose tinted glasses off :wink: :biglaugh:

 

kev

[Guest LukeSkywalker]

'

 

Take yer rose tinted glasses off :wink: :biglaugh:

 

kev

 

I agree. I finished work in the UK yesterday at 4pm.

 

I drove 15 miles - which due to traffic took over an hour, to stand in the p1ssing rain at 10c and watch my son play football in the most appalling conditions of rain and howling wind. Nothing unusual there - it is after all, August.

[Guest guest17301]

How true. Leisure time here is truly that. How can anyone argue that it's not. Finish work 3.30 (in winter) Get home. Too knackered to go out. Spend time watering plants...sitting in sun..moving chair to catch the last few rays...consider turning on BBQ...realise its warmer ouside (in Winter). Eat BBQ steak for dinner. Watch kangaroos...etc etc etc...

[Guest fatpom]

Work life balance??????

 

I dream of a 40 hour week. Failing that I'd compromise with a 50 hour week with 50 hours of pay. :twitcy:

[Guest Aldo]

Work life balance??????

 

I dream of a 40 hour week. Failing that I'd compromise with a 50 hour week with 50 hours of pay. :twitcy:

 

you obviously have an axe to grind:laugh:

 

just be sure to grind it in your own time

[Guest fatpom]

you obviously have an axe to grind:laugh:

 

just be sure to grind it in your own time

 

I'm not allowed near sharp implements! :cry: