IS THE UK’S WORK LIFE BALANCE OUT OF SYNC

Glasgow and Edinburgh were among the cities in the UK surveyed in the 2022 Business Challenge report.

It was carried out by digital payments specialist takepayments and shows how much the pandemic has thrown the world of work on its head. The past 18 months have been difficult for many Brits trying to regain their work-life balance as more people work remotely or on flexible hours, the traditional 9-5 work schedule is no longer as relevant as it used to be, blurring the lines. 

In 2019, before the pandemic, 59% of SME owners were happy with their work life balance but this recent challenge report shows a steep decline.

Glasgow was on the lower end with only 11% of SME owners believing they have a good work life balance. In contrast 21% of SME owners in Edinburgh believe they have a good balance – the second highest after Belfast.

In Glasgow the biggest concern for SME owners (42%) the continuing coronavirus restrictions while in Edinburgh their biggest concern (23%) are Environment and sustainability challenges.

According to the survey both cities are concerned about the changing political landscape and keeping up with compliance and regulation is also a concern with constant changes in regulation due to Brexit and Covid.

However there is optimism as in Edinburgh (29%) expecting some growth this year 25% while in Glasgow (25%) are expecting to diversify their business in 2022.

Only a third (35%) of owners and leaders manage to have two work-free days per week, and less than a quarter work 48 hours or less in a week. 

Only 15% of owners from Glasgow stick to a 48-hour working week or less with little change in Edinburgh with 14% sticking to this working week.