We spend so much of our day working. How can we ensure our job doesn't make us miserable? It takes more than just money and conditions. While pay and conditions matter, we should be concerned about issues like burnout, strict deadlines, and unhealthy working culture, especially in the UK.
British workers often feel pressure from tight targets and supervisors breathing down their necks, leading to stress and dissatisfaction. One example of poor work-life quality is presenteeism, where employees feel the need to stay at work late or show up while sick to appear dedicated.
To improve work-life balance, a task-based approach instead of paying workers by the hour is suggested. A trial in the construction industry showed that completing a set number of tasks (instead of working long hours) led to higher productivity, less overtime, and better employee wellbeing. Emma thinks a task-based approach is better, both at getting the job done, and for improving work-life balance - the amount of time you spend at work, compared with the amount of time you spend relaxing with your family, and doing things you enjoy. Flexible working is a win-win – a situation that’s good for everyone involved.
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🍅Reading Questions and Answers
1. Since most of our waking day is spent at work, how can we make sure our job doesn’t make us unhappy?
2. What is burnout?
3. Why is British work culture seen as stressful compared to other countries?
4. What does the phrase “breathing down someone’s neck” mean?
5. What is presenteeism, and why is it a problem?
6. What are the benefits of the task-based work model?
7. What does "work-life balance" mean?
8. According to the Forbes magazine survey, what is the worst job in the UK?
👉Some of my previous jobs have been pretty awful. When I waitressed in cafes I was on my feet ten hours a day. It was exhausting!
The worst job I ever had was the summer I spent working as a portable toilet cleaner at music festivals.
Most people have had bad work experiences at one time or another. Maybe a job that was boring, badly paid, or just working too much and getting burned out – lacking energy or enthusiasm because of working too hard.
Compared to some European countries, British workers have to meet more targets and deadlines - a time or date by which a particular job must be finished.
In 2022, Britain's biggest employer, the National Health Service or NHS, lost more than 15,000 nurses, many quitting because of the long and inflexible working hours.
Another sector with long working hours is the construction industry. Low paid, dirty and physically demanding, construction workers also risk high levels of work-related injury.
1. Since most of our waking day is spent at work, how can we make sure our job doesn’t make us unhappy?
2. What is burnout?
3. Why is British work culture seen as stressful compared to other countries?
4. What does the phrase “breathing down someone’s neck” mean?
5. What is presenteeism, and why is it a problem?
6. What are the benefits of the task-based work model?
7. What does "work-life balance" mean?
8. According to the Forbes magazine survey, what is the worst job in the UK?
👉Some of my previous jobs have been pretty awful. When I waitressed in cafes I was on my feet ten hours a day. It was exhausting!
The worst job I ever had was the summer I spent working as a portable toilet cleaner at music festivals.
Most people have had bad work experiences at one time or another. Maybe a job that was boring, badly paid, or just working too much and getting burned out – lacking energy or enthusiasm because of working too hard.
Compared to some European countries, British workers have to meet more targets and deadlines - a time or date by which a particular job must be finished.
In 2022, Britain's biggest employer, the National Health Service or NHS, lost more than 15,000 nurses, many quitting because of the long and inflexible working hours.
Another sector with long working hours is the construction industry. Low paid, dirty and physically demanding, construction workers also risk high levels of work-related injury.
Being unhappy at work could be related to the British working culture which emphasizes working at a fast pace.