What Kept Employees from Their Duties in 2008? What Is Their Greatest Work/Life Challenge in 2009?
This release shares the results of a recent poll by LifeCare, Inc., asking respondents to cite their greatest challenges in accomplishing their job responsibilities during 2008. The poll also asked them to cite their greatest work/life challenges for the year ahead.
Shelton, CT (PRWEB) March 4, 2009
During 2008, personal issues -- not work-related issues -- were the number one challenge workers faced in carrying out their job responsibilities, according to a poll by LifeCare® (http://www. lifecare. com), Inc., a leading provider of health and productivity solutions (http://www. lifecare. com/news/index. html) for employers nationwide. The poll also asked respondents to anticipate their greatest work/life challenges for the year ahead and financial issues topped that list.
The two-part poll was conducted throughout the month of January on LifeCare's private web site, where employees of the company's 1,500 client organizations were invited to respond. Here are the full results of the poll:
Looking back over the past year, what was the single biggest challenge you faced in fulfilling your job responsibilities?
Personal issues – 38% Pay/rewards not appropriate – 20% Didn't have the proper tools or resources – 19% Politics/personal conflicts – 9% Basic job expectations weren't made clear – 9% Child or elder care issues – 5%
What do you anticipate your greatest work/life challenge will be in 2009?
Financial issues – 55% Balancing work demands and time with my family – 23% Health issues – 7% Adult or child care issues – 6% Job-related issues – 5%
Another four percent cited a variety of other challenges for 2009, each representing less than one percent. These included retirement, job security and office politics.
"Employers would do well to get a jump on the specific challenges employees anticipate for 2009," said Peter G. Burki, LifeCare's CEO. "Their work/life providers should be delivering a wide range of tools and resources to address financial issues, health and wellness issues, caregiving challenges, and work/life balance."
As a result of workers' growing financial concerns, for example, LifeCare is now delivering a series of 15 new seminars created by award-winning journalist and nationally recognized financial expert, Jean Chatzky. The seminars, available exclusively through LifeCare, focus on debt, financial planning and successful money management. They offer practical strategies for reducing debt, living within a budget, shopping for mortgages, improving credit, planning for retirement, investing wisely and more. LifeCare also provides organizations with a broad range of leading-edge programs devoted to health and wellness, caregiving and work/life balance.
Each month, LifeCare posts a poll on its private web site, asking individuals to share their thoughts and opinions on the latest issues and work/life trends. Past polls have addressed topics such as productivity, work/life balance (http://www. lifecare. com/news/connection. html), health and wellness (http://www. lifecare. com/index. html), flexible work arrangements, and child and elder care needs.
About LifeCare®, Inc.
LifeCare offers cost-saving benefits that help clients reduce their most pervasive absenteeism and productivity drains, including child and elder care, caregiving support, health and wellness issues, and more. For more than two decades, LifeCare has led the work/life industry in the creation of high-quality, results-oriented programs designed to improve clients' bottom line. LifeCare serves 1,500 client companies with 4.5 million individuals within corporations, health plans, government agencies and unions. For more information, visit www. lifecare. com.
Notes to Editors
LifeCare's CEO, Peter G. Burki, is available for interview.
Media contact: Michael Civiello; 203-556-8827
This press release was distributed through eMediawire by Human Resources Marketer (HR Marketer: www. HRmarketer. com) on behalf of the company listed above.
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