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Category Interactive Date 6/29/2005 |
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Employees feel they're working longer hours
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| working.com poll challenges recent Statistics Canada survey |
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TORONTO, June 29, 2005/ - As we head into the last work day before the
Canada Day long weekend, many of us plan to enjoy a nice respite from long
hours and the stress of trying to find a balance between work and personal
life. But there's some surprising news: last week Statistics Canada released
survey results showing the average number of hours people work each week has
not increased, but has actually declined by an average of 1.4 hours per week.
Finding the numbers surprising, working.com conducted an online poll,
asking their visitors if they think they are working fewer hours. The results
of the poll contradict those of Statistics Canada, as 57% of working.com
respondents said they feel they're working longer and longer hours. 23% agreed
with StatsCan and 20% said they are working about the same amount of hours as
they were five years ago.
Statistics Canada attributed the reduction in hours to an aging work
force, as well as an increase in time off for vacation and for personal or
family responsibilities. They also cited changes to Employment Insurance that
resulted in more weeks of maternity, parental and adoption benefits as of
December 31, 2000.
"I think demographics play a big role in the difference between the two
surveys," said Kim Peters, General Manager, working.com, CanWest MediaWorks.
"The StatsCan survey found the reduction in hours occurred mainly among
workers over 45, where the majority of our respondents are under 45. And this
group feels they are actually working more, not less, compared to five years
ago."
"I also think the nature of work is changing and there's a bigger mix of
options, with more self-employment and part-time work and with more people
constantly connected to their email and Blackberries," said Ms. Peters. "As a
result, they end up feeling like they're always working, even when away from
the office."
According to Statistics Canada the average work week is 33.3 hours across
all industries.
For more on this story or to search Canada's fastest growing job site,
visit www.working.com.
About CanWest MediaWorks
CanWest MediaWorks is a division of CanWest Global Communications Corp.
(NYSE: CWG; TSX: CGS.NV and CGS.SV, www.CanWestglobal.com), an international
media company. CanWest is Canada's largest media company. In addition to
owning the Global Television Network, CanWest is Canada's largest publisher of
daily newspapers, and also owns, operates and/or holds substantial interests
in conventional television, out-of-home advertising, specialty cable channels,
Web sites and radio networks in Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland.
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