Family relationships threathened by work

Nearly 90 per cent of people say work is threatening their home life according to new research by Relationships Australia. The 2006 Relationships Indicators Survey interviewed 1,200 people aged 18 and over across Australia on six topics including work life balance.

"Not only are we spending longer hours at the office, work now intrudes into our home life and private space making it increasingly hard to create that boundary  between home and work," Anne Hollands of Relationships Australia said.

The research echoes the findings of a survey carried out by CareerOne.com.au two weeks ago. That survey asked people if technology was contributing to shorter or longer work days with most people claiming the use of mobile phones, wireless connections, broadband and email had extended their professional day and blurred the line between home and work.

"Workplaces are demanding more and more of us" Ms Hollands said adding that the time spent working has infringed upon household time. In the past there was a greater tendency she says for mothers to take care of household responsibilities freeing up valuable family time. These days she says both adults are likely to work and return home at the end-of-the day to be faced with the housework; shopping, preparation of food and looking after the children.

 "We think it is normal," Ms Hollonds said, "but it's like having three jobs with only two people to do them," she said. However, readjusting the work and life balance in a bid to improve family commitment is not easy.

"Childcare and all of those things that allow parents to earn money, cost money", Ms Holland said, explaining that we are spending more time at work to pay for the cost of juggling work and family life.

Time spent doing work will have to be adjusted in favour of the employee's home life advises Ms Holland, if bosses are to attract and retain staff. "The war for talent, a lack of skilled workers and an ageing work force means that employers are under greater pressure to provide flexible working hours and family friendly working places," she said.

The 2006 Relationships Indicators Survey interviewed 1,200 people aged 18 and over across Australia about their relationships. The survey results were divided into six topics; relationships today, the state of Australian relationships, marriage and divorce, balancing work and family, relationship support and technology and relationships.

By Zsa-Zsa Bowie Wilson, careerone.com.au