Nov 25 2009
Latest Survey From The IT Job Board Reveals That 93 Percent of Techies Think Work has a Negative Impact on our Health
81 percent of IT pros believe their job has an impact on their health, according to a survey[1] conducted by The IT Job Board, http://www.theitjobboard.co.uk. And, nearly all those questioned (93 percent), believe the impact is a negative one.
More than half (57 percent), stated that their negative feelings have increased over the last year - since the recession began.
When asked about the types of impact, 58 percent said they spent less time doing exercise, 55 percent believed it affected their social life, and 51 percent stated that it has had an impact on their eating habits.
Just under three quarters (71 percent) said what they were eating now differed; with 39 percent not having proper meals, and 35 percent consuming too many snacks. Furthermore, 55 percent claim to work through their lunch break, choosing to eat at their desks in front of their computers instead.
Over half (52 percent), said they are not exercising at all, and 56 percent believed they are suffering from stress/anxiety, as a result of increased work pressures. The main reason for absenteeism in the workplace was put down to illness (57 percent). And, 12.2 percent of the survey base has taken 10 or more sick days in the last year, compared to 6.7 percent for the previous year.
Jamie Bowler, head of marketing at The IT Job Board, commented: "The IT work environment can be fast-paced and stressful, and this is clearly having an impact on the workforce. Many believe this has increased significantly since the start of the recession, and this is reflected in the increase in sick days over the last year.
"Employers should put more emphasis on creating a work environment that takes into consideration the health of its employees."