Monster meter says

Monsterís European Online Poll reveals that more than half of Europeans are overworked

Ireland March 24, 2003 - Do you work an excessive amount of hours each week, with little or no time for your family? According to the latest Monster Meter, the majority of Europeans are overworked. A staggering 57% of
Europeans work over 40 hours per week, with almost 20% working more than 50 hours per week.

A record number of 20,567 votes were cast on Monsterís sites across Europe between 17th February and 3rd March.

The Monster Meter asked, ìHow many hours do you work a week?î revealing:

10% said: ìLess than 25 hours.î
33% said: ìBetween 25 and 40 hours.î
40% said: ìBetween 40 and 50 hours.î
17% said: ì50 hours or more.î

In Ireland on the Monster.ie site the results show:
10% said ìLess than 25 hours.î
37% said ìBetween 25 and 40 hours.î
36% said ìBetween 40 and 50 hours.î
17% said ì50 hours or more.î


Workers in Spain, Italy, and Norway appear to work longer hours than their fellow Europeans, with a substantial quarter of respondents in Spain claiming to work more than 50 hours per week.

The Irish are not far behind the European average with 36% of respondents clocking up between 40 and 50 hours a week, disproving the theory that the Irish are a lazy nation.

On the other hand, the Danes and the Finns seem to have the best chance of achieving a good work/life balance, with nearly 50% and 43% respectively working a healthy 25 to 40 hours a week.

In a move to tackle the damaging long hours culture, the EU is introducing a new statutory right for employees in April stating that parents with children under six will be able to ask to work different hours, part-time or from home.

Alan Townsend, Managing Director Monster.ie commented ìIn the current challenging economic times companies may need staff to work harder and longer than ever before, which might lead to increased stress levels. It is now more important for employers to offer workers the opportunity to
establish the right work/life balance - forward-looking businesses are already running flexible working schedules, not just for parents but all employees as a way of maintaining their competitive edge and attracting the
best candidates.î

Employment law specialist at Pritchard Englefield, Lee Gabbie comments: ìThe new Regulations will ensure that employers give due consideration to employeesí requests to variations in the hours, times or place where they
are required to work. If an employee does pursue a complaint over an employerís refusal to accede to his or her request, an employment tribunal will be able to order that the employer reconsiders its position, but will
not have the power under the new Regulations to substitute the employerís refusal and impose a flexible working arrangement.î