8 in 10 Hong Kong employees want companies in Hong Kong to take more active steps in creating better work-life balance.
Hong Kong is known for its break-neck pace and high-intensity working environment. Long hours are an inherent part of corporate and work culture, and overtime is all too commonplace. More and more, however, Hong Kong employees are looking for companies to make the effort in encouraging a better balance between the office and home. A recent study by Community Business showed that a stunning 82% of Hong Kong employees feel that employers need to take active steps in establishing a more family-friendly work environment.
The State of Work-Life Balance in Hong Kong Survey 2013 interviewed a broad sampling of 1,048 employees over the age of 15 working full time in
Hong Kong. The survey findings reflect a growing concern amongst employees which Fern Ngai, Chief Executive Officer of Community Business, feels HR specifically needs to address. “HR function drives change,” Ngai said, encouraging a call to action from Hong Kong HR departments.
Family planning
One of the major issues facing HR has become the problems involved in attracting and retaining new talent. According to the survey findings, one way to improve the attraction of a company is to initiate more family-friendly policies. Finding a family-friendly workplace is more important than ever to the younger generation of employees, with a stunning three quarters of respondents aged 15 to 30 stating that a family-friendly environment is one of the top considerations when choosing whether to join, stay at, or leave a company. Nearly half of respondents within this age group reported having considered leaving their current job due to restrictions on family life, and a solid majority of 65% openly stated that they would leave their current company if a new job allowed them more time with their families.
Striking a balance
For many Hong Kong employees, the lack of work-life balance has given rise to a fear of starting a family altogether. Almost 80% of respondents indicated that their careers had either already been negatively affected by family responsibilities, or anticipated future impediments to their career developments should they choose to start a family. Such concerns affect both men and women in the workplace. While more women (42%) than men (37%) report a negative impact on their career development due to current family obligations, the percentages switch when respondents reported concerns over whether future family responsibilities might impact their careers. Almost 40% of men and 35% of women harbour concerns over the affect having a family may have on their career development. Furthermore, when it comes to leaving a current job the numbers are nearly equal, with over half of both male and female employees stating that they would leave for a position which offered them the chance to spend more time with family.
Baby steps
The survey found that the biggest request from employees regarding work-life balance was for more flexibility in working time. A need for shorter or standardised work hours and a 5-day work week followed close behind. While paternity leave stood out in fourth position, extended maternity leave was last on the list, tied with medical insurance coverage at only 3%.
For Fern Ngai, the results are clear. “This year’s survey shows that family responsibilities have a significant impact on Hong Kong people’s career development and choice of employer. The survey overwhelmingly provides a strong business case for employers to look into the issue seriously in order to recruit and retain the best talent and remain competitive in business.”
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
