This corporate wellness survey, which was conducted amongst 2,000 employees also revealed some surprising facts. On average, you only grumble about your boss 623 times over four decades, or, in other words, 14 times a year or so. You’re also likely to have three major bust-ups with your colleagues and, thanks, in part, to the unpredictable economic climate, you’ll probably endure at least one period of unemployment or redundancy, and will have at least one period of poor emotional wellbeing during your working life, in which your doctor will sign you off with stress.
Despite an average starting wage of £10,983.50, the survey found that financial wellness is a big concern for many adults, with people still struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Before seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, most people have to go through two long periods of financial worry, with 34% of the population having to find a second job to make ends meet.
When it comes to your work-life balance, four in ten of respondents admitted that the demands of their job has had a negative impact on family life and relationships, and the researchers noted that the average worker will go through at least two rough patches with their partner. A third of those surveyed reported that they’ve been sometimes known to let the long hours take over, which takes its toll on their personal life. 29% of those polled have had to seek medical help for the stress of work and the impact it has had on their personal life.
According to Paul Keenan, spokesman for healthcare provider Benenden Health, who commissioned the survey, ‘We hear how UK workers are working longer and harder than ever before but this health check of the average adult’s working life confirms what we feared. Heavy workloads and disagreements with colleagues can all take a heavy toll on our wellbeing and many of us are seeing this spill over into our home lives.’
He added, ‘This is coupled with the ongoing threat of redundancy whilst the UK economy struggles to get back on track. There are small positives – for example, those losing control of a work-life balance is still in the minority. But with over a third of people needing to find second jobs, maintaining this balance will become a losing battle.’