A global survey looking at how flexible working patterns can help reduce stress has found workers around the world would opt for a change in workplace culture if their employer offered them the opportunity.
In most countries, workers believed flexible hours reduced stress and helped them better fit family activities into their lifestyle.
The survey, carried out by business workspace provider Regus, also highlighted that although work often induced stress – in Belgium, France and South Africa, the most stress came from dealing with customers.
What they said country by country
Here are some of the highlights by country:
- Chinese workers are under the most stress, with three-quarters confessing they feel more stressed than last year, while two-thirds like flexible working as a more family-friendly lifestyle
- Seven out of 10 Indian workers feel less stressed when their bosses let the work flexible hours. Many Indian workers feel their managers put too much stress on them – 37% report the problem compared to a global average of 27%
- Almost half of British workers are more stressed by money problems than work (48%), while two thirds would opt for flexible working
- In the USA, two-thirds of workers believe flexible working makes them feel less stressed and three-quarters believe flexible working increases their productivity
- In France 40% of workers claim they are more stressed by their customers than anyone else, while half agreed they felt less stressed with a flexible working culture
- Like their Chinese counterparts, 58% of German workers feel more stressed this year, but claimed flexible working is a stress-reducer
- Like their French neighbours, 46% of Belgians are irritated by their customers, but enjoy flexible working.
- The Dutch believe flexible working improves productivity (78%) and is more family friendly (44%)
- Brazilians report their co-workers drive them nuts (28%), but two-thirds would welcome a flexible working culture at work.
- Half of South African workers are stressed by their customers, while 47% believe that flexible working would lower business costs
- In Japan, 67% of workers blame their work as a major source of stress, and 34% identified their managers as very stressful
- Only 9% of Australians are worried about personal finance, and 71% prefer flexible hours to fixed hours at work
- 63% of Canadians find their job stressful, while three-quarters believe flexible hours would take away some of the stress they feel
- In Mexico, 75% of workers felt their jobs were a major stress, while a similar number believed flexible working would relieve their stress
