Well, thats the summer over, or is it, we keep having days of warm weather and horendous rain so who knows!
The children have gone back to school and all seems to be gearing up for a good push in the business world.
How was your summer, did you get away, have a chance to switch off spend time with loved ones? I hope so. It is really important to tell the people around you how much they mean to you and how important they are. I include staff / employees in this, we need to make sure that we look after the wellbeing of our staff, I remember being told something a long time ago.
‘It is far easier to cultivate and grow what you have already got in terms of members of staff and customers, than it is to keep on having to fine new’.
Having done several sales jobs I can vouch for this, look after what is in front of you and make sure to let them know they are important, this will help you and your business move forward.
This month we are opening up 2 new meetings in Kent, one in Canterbury and one in Folkestone, we are also in talks with Ashford, Maidstone and Medway about having 3 more meetings starting in the early part of 2025.
Our 6 year plan is to conquer the UK and have meetings all over offering a community bringing together online and in person from Cornwall to Kent all the way up to the highlands of Scotland, where there is a need for a meeting we want to provide. Are you interested in talking to us about starting your own SBC meetings? Get in touch, we are looking for people who are well driven to take on the mantle.
01843 627 001
info@simplybusinessclub.co.uk
www.simplybusinessclub.co.uk
What’s inside
Canva
Benefits
Easy
Manchester named UKs most AI ready city
staying focused when on video calls
Simply Business Club - updates from a busy summer and exciting new meetings
Simply Business Club
Members profiles & Contact details
UK workers consider quitting due to poor management
Right
INSIDE SBC Magazine
Within this magazine we feature businesses and business professionals from start ups all the way up to global brands, each voice just as important. We really like sharing positive news, updates and advice & tips from around the world, Do you fall within the above, do you have some information or advice to share with our readers?
Would you like us to cover a certain topic or perhaps add a regular section with updates, perhaps from a certain business sector like Human Resources.
Inside this edition we feature our Simply Design UK, who give us their take on Canva vs Designers; Virtec share their thoughts on the benefits of shutting doen your computer; Easy Ways To Learn French; We also share an interesting article about Manchester being AI ready; In this digital age, the benefits of staying focused on video calls; An interesting article about the number of people who have quit or considered quitting due to poor management and a write up about the right to switch off Get in touch with us, come to a meeting and interact with us on social media
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Canva vs. Professional Designers: Which is Right
for Your Business?
In today’s visually driven world, the importance of eye-catching and professional design cannot be overstated. Whether it’s for social media posts, marketing materials, or a complete brand identity, good design can set you apart from the competition. But when it comes to creating these designs, businesses face a common dilemma: should they use a tool like Canva or hire a professional designer? Each option has its unique strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and goals. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
The Rise of Canva:
Revolutionizing DIY Design
Canva has taken the design world by storm, offering an intuitive platform that enables anyone to create professional-looking graphics without any prior design experience.
Advantages of Canva:
1. Cost-Effective
One of Canva’s most significant advantages is its affordability. It offers a free version with a plethora of features, and even its premium version, Canva Pro, is relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of hiring a professional designer. This makes Canva an attractive option for startups and small businesses operating on tight budgets.
2. User-Friendly
Canva is designed with the nondesigner in mind. Its drag-anddrop interface, combined with a vast library of templates, makes it incredibly easy to use. Whether you need a social media post, a flyer, or a business card, Canva’s templates cover a wide range of needs, allowing users to create polished designs quickly.
3. Templates and Tools
Canva’s extensive library includes thousands of templates, graphics, fonts, and photos, enabling users to craft attractive designs efficiently. The built-in tools are straightforward yet powerful enough for basic design tasks, making the design process almost instantaneous.
4. Speed
When you need a design in a hurry, Canva is a lifesaver. You can whip up professional-looking graphics in a matter of minutes, which is ideal for last-minute projects or when you need to maintain a consistent flow of content.
5. Accessibility
As an online platform, Canva is accessible from any device with an internet connection. This flexibility allows users to work on designs anytime, anywhere, making it perfect for businesses on the go.
Disadvantages of Canva:
1. Limited Customization
While Canva excels at providing easyto-use tools for basic designs, it falls short in customization. The platform’s capabilities are limited compared to professional design software, which can be a hindrance for more complex projects.
2. Generic Designs
Because Canva is widely used, many of its templates can become overused, leading to designs that may lack uniqueness. This can be problematic for businesses looking to stand out in a crowded market.
3. Skill Ceiling
For advanced design needs, Canva’s tools can feel restrictive. Professional designers often require sophisticated software to execute their creative vision fully.
4. Brand Consistency
Maintaining a cohesive brand identity can be challenging with Canva. While it’s possible to create branded templates, the platform’s limitations might make it difficult to ensure all materials perfectly align with your brand guidelines.
The Power of Professional Designers
On the other hand, professional designers bring a level of expertise and creativity that DIY tools like Canva simply cannot match. When you hire a designer, you’re investing in their experience, skills, and unique perspective.
Advantages of Professional Designers:
1. Customization and Uniqueness
A professional designer can deliver bespoke designs tailored specifically to your brand. They can take your ideas and transform them into unique visuals that stand out and resonate with your target audience.
2. Expertise
Designers possess a deep understanding of design principles, including typography, color theory, and composition. They stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies, ensuring your designs are modern and effective.
3. Complex Projects
For intricate or large-scale projects, such as rebranding or creating detailed illustrations, the skills of a professional designer are indispensable. They can handle complexities that DIY tools can’t, providing solutions that are both creative and technically sound.
4. Brand Consistency
A professional designer ensures that all your marketing materials are cohesive and aligned with your brand identity. This consistency strengthens your brand’s presence and helps build trust with your audience.
5. Creative Input
Designers bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to the table. Their ability to think outside the box can add significant value to your projects, often leading to innovative and impactful designs.
Disadvantages of Professional Designers:
1. Cost
Hiring a professional designer can be expensive, which might be a significant investment for businesses with limited budgets. The cost often reflects the quality and expertise the designer brings to the table.
2. Time
The design process with a professional can take longer. It involves consultations, drafts, revisions, and final approvals. While this leads to a higher quality result, it requires more time compared to the instant designs Canva offers.
3. Dependence
Relying on a designer means you’re dependent on their availability and schedule. This can be a disadvantage if you need quick turnarounds or if the designer has multiple clients.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Fit
Both Canva and professional designers have their place in the design ecosystem. Canva is ideal for businesses needing quick, cost-effective, and straightforward designs. It’s perfect for small businesses, startups, or individuals who need to produce content rapidly and affordably.
In contrast, professional designers are invaluable for businesses seeking unique, high-quality, and cohesive designs that accurately reflect their brand identity. They’re essential for handling more complex design requirements and ensuring brand consistency.
Ultimately, the decision between Canva and a professional designer comes down to your specific needs, budget, and the importance of design quality to your brand. By understanding the strengths and limitations of each option, you can choose the best approach to elevate your business’s visual presence.
The Benefits of Shutting Down Your Computer
In this fast-paced digital world there is a lot to be said for stopping and shutting down. Turning off your computer regularly offers several benefits, including improved performance, energy savings, and enhanced security. Here are some key advantages:
1. Improved Performance
Clears RAM: Turning off your computer clears the Random Access Memory (RAM), helping to eliminate temporary files and processes that can slow down performance over time. Resets System: Shutting down the computer resets the system, which can help resolve minor software glitches and improve overall system stability.
2. Energy Savings
Reduces Energy Consumption: Turning off your computer when not in use conserves energy, reducing your electricity bill and environmental impact. Lowers Wear and Tear: Reducing the amount of time your computer is running can decrease wear on hardware components, potentially extending the lifespan of your device.
3. Enhanced Security:
Prevents Unauthorized Access: Turning off your computer can prevent unauthorized access, particularly if your machine is connected to a network.
Reduces Risk of Cyber Attacks: A powered-down computer is less vulnerable to malware and hacking attempts since it is not connected to the internet.
4. System Updates and Maintenance
Facilitates Updates: Many operating systems and software updates require a restart to be fully installed. Regularly turning off your computer ensures that updates and patches are applied promptly. Encourages Regular Maintenance: Shutting down your computer encourages users to perform regular maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up files and checking for software updates.
5. Component Longevity
Protects from Power Surges: Turning off and unplugging your computer during thunderstorms or power surges can protect it from damage.
Reduces Heat Stress: Allowing your computer to cool down by turning it off can reduce heat stress on internal components, helping to prevent overheating and hardware failures.
6. Noise Reduction
Quieter Environment: A powered-off computer generates no noise, creating a quieter environment, which can be particularly beneficial in home offices or bedrooms.
7. Health Benefits
Encourages Breaks: Turning off your computer can encourage you to take breaks from screen time, promoting better physical and mental health.
Incorporating regular shutdowns into your routine can optimize your computer’s performance, save energy, enhance security, and contribute to the longevity of your device.
Virtec IT are a team of IT professionals with many years of experience in IT Support across Kent.
“We pride ourselves in offering IT Support that is tailored to our clients’ individual needs, and our dedication to customer satisfaction is our top priority.
No job is too big or small for us; we provide IT Support to all sectors whether it be large or small businesses, charities, education providers or private individuals.”
Easy Ways to Learn French for Holidaymakers
Written by Samantha Cruickshank - Independent Online Language Teacher for French and German
As summer approaches, you might be one of the thousands of holidaymakers preparing for their trip abroad. If you’re heading to France, a basic grasp of the language can enhance the experience significantly. Fortunately, learning some simple French can be both fun and accessible. Here are my top tips.
1. Free Online Tools
The internet is a treasure trove of resources for language learners. Apps like Duolingo and Memrise offer free, interactive resources that cover vocabulary, phrases, and pronunciation. These platforms gamify the learning process, making it engaging and easy to fit into your daily routine. You could even use them on the beach or by the pool. For those who prefer a more structured approach, Open Culture provides a list of free online French courses from universities, media and government organisations, amongst others.
2. Watch French TV & Movies
(with the Subtitles on!)
Immersing yourself in French media is a fantastic way to improve language skills. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer a wide range of French films and TV shows. Start with subtitles in your
native language and gradually switch to French subtitles as your comprehension improves. This method not only enhances listening skills but also helps with picking up colloquial phrases and the rhythm of the language.
4. Use Language Exchange Apps
Apps like Tandem and HelloTalk connect you with native French speakers who want to learn your language. This mutual exchange allows you to practice conversational French in a relaxed setting. You can chat via text, audio, or video calls, making it a versatile way to learn at your own pace.
3. Practice Speaking with Locals
Once in France, don’t be shy about using your French. Local people appreciate when tourists make an effort to speak their language. In shops, cafes, and restaurants, try ordering in French and asking simple questions. Many French people are patient and willing to help you practice. Phrases like “Pouvez-vous m’aider avec mon français ?” (Can you help me with my French?) can open doors to friendly interactions and valuable practice. Sometimes a busy server may find it easier to speak English – remember to pick your moment!
5. Carry a Pocket Phrasebook
While digital tools are great, having a physical phrasebook can be incredibly handy when you’re out and about without internet access. Phrasebooks are compact and provide essential phrases and pronunciation guides, making it easier to communicate basic needs and questions. Learning a language doesn’t have to be daunting. By incorporating these simple and enjoyable methods into your preparation, you’ll be well on your way to a more enriching and immersive holiday experience. Bon voyage!
Manchester named UK’s most AI-ready city in new study
MARLOW, UK (18 July, 2024) – Manchester has pipped the likes of Cambridge and Oxford to be crowned the UK’s most AIready city for the first time, new research has revealed.
The cultural hub came first in the SAS AI Cities Index 2024, which annually reveals the cities outside of London that are most likely to benefit from the growing appetite for artificial intelligence (AI).
The research is compiled from seven criteria, including AIrelated jobs being advertised, the number of AI companies in the city, search demand for generative AI, education opportunities and the value of InnovateUK funding granted in each area.
Manchester, which is also the birthplace of the industrial revolution, came first due to having the highest amount of AIrelated companies in the city, along with the most hackathons, and a large volume of AI-related jobs within a five-mile radius.
Manchester has had a number of AI innovations and initiatives in the last year, including the Red Devils themselves, Manchester United, turning to artificial intelligence in April 2024. The football club is working in partnership with
Manchester Metropolitan University, to help improve the performance of their men’s, women’s and academy teams, to analyse where improvements can be made to help the team’s coaches.
Cambridge and Oxford, often known as part of the golden triangle due to being home to world-leading life science clusters, fell to positions nine and 16 respectively.
For the first time, the study also took into account the rising demand for tools like ChatGPT, using insights to reveal the cities which have had the biggest growth in searches for generative AI.
The analysis also revealed which parts of the UK have seen the biggest growth in AI-readiness since last year. Salford, in Greater Manchester, continued the northern dominance of the table, leaping a huge 68 places to take third spot. In total, over £100 million has been awarded to businesses in Salford from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
SAS revealed which parts of the UK seem least prepared to utilise AI to its full potential, and bottom of the list was Truro, followed by Newry and Peterborough, despite its proximity to Cambridge.
SAS also compared the AI-readiness of all London boroughs, revealing that Camden, home to University College London (UCL) and University of London, topped the list beating the likes of Westminster, Southwark and Hackney. Kensington and Chelsea, which came last in 2023, rose to position 18, while Bexley came last.
Glyn Townsend, Senior Director of Education Services at SAS for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said:
“AI-ready cities will lead the way in being more resilient, while also meeting new urban living standards, such as meeting sustainability targets, and even making services more accessible to people living with disabilities.
“With 80% of UK organisations struggling to recruit applicants with suitable skills, if they do not have adequate tech talent, businesses face the challenge of how to remain competitive in an increasingly tech-driven world. And if they then cluster in regions and cities with talent, it could risk deeper regional inequalities. All cities need to be prepared to play their partaddressing digital and data literacy gaps, securing support to apply for investment, and ultimately, helping drive the future economy.
“With the announcement from the new Prime Minister that Metro Mayors and devolved government will be tasked with creating 10-year growth plans, with an emphasis on economic growth including localised actions for skills creation, it is critical that consideration is given to what skills should be prioritised to ensure maximum return on investment and alignment to rapid anticipated future economic growth, current talent needs and future innovation.”
Written by John Turner Network Leader of Simply Business Club
Staying Focused when on a video call such as Zoom
The opportunities online are endless, the immediate benefits are huge and yet people are still saying...
I can’t do online networking, I am all zoomed out!
I struggle to keep my focus when online and just turn off my camera and do something else!
So what do we do about this?
When I setup Simply Business Club I had never done any online networking before. Covid made it a thing and I am really glad it did. The benefits far out weight the negatives. I do understand people saying they are all Zoomed out and don’t want to do loads of video calls any longer. but have you considered, staying focused is the key to taking advantage of the benefits that are on offer?
In an online networking meeting, the dynamic is different from in-person events, but there are still effective ways to stay focused and make meaningful connections. Here’s how you can optimize your presence and engage fully during the meeting:
Be Ready to Introduce Yourself Concisely
Elevator Pitch: Have a 30-second to 1-minute (or in the case of SBC 3-4 minute) introduction ready that clearly communicates who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.
Prepare to Listen and Engage
Take Notes on Participants: Keep a notepad or document open to jot down key points about other participants. This helps with follow-ups and keeps your attention on the conversation.
Identify Mutual Interests: While others are speaking, listen for potential collaboration opportunities or shared interests. This will keep you engaged and prepare you for future interactions.
Make Use of Breakout Rooms
Breakout Room Strategy: If the meeting involves breakout rooms, these are golden opportunities for deeper, more personal conversations. Have a few questions or conversation starters ready, like asking about the biggest challenges others are facing in their industry.
Engage Each Person: Make sure to engage everyone in the smaller group. Ask for their input, making the conversation collaborative.
Use the Chat Wisely
Share Links and Contact Info: You can drop a link to your website or LinkedIn profile in the chat at an appropriate moment. Be mindful not to spam the chat but use it strategically.
Private Messaging: If there’s someone in the meeting you really want to connect with, send a polite, private message expressing your interest in following up after the meeting. Something simple like, “I’d love to connect further about [specific topic], feel free to reach out on LinkedIn.”
Engage Actively in Conversations
Ask Open-Ended Questions: In both the larger group and smaller rooms, ask questions that encourage others to elaborate, like “What are you currently working on that excites you?” or “How did you get started in your industry?”
Offer Value: If you have a resource, idea, or suggestion that could help someone, offer it. Networking is more successful when you focus on how you can help others, not just what you can gain.
Follow Up Quickly
Send Personalized Messages: After the call, send follow-up emails or messages to people you connected with. Reference something specific from your conversation to make it personal.
Share Resources: If relevant, share articles, tools, or introductions that can provide value to the people you met.
Keep Your Camera On (If Possible)
Maintain Eye Contact: Look into your camera when speaking, as it simulates eye contact and helps build rapport.
Smile and Show Positive Body Language: Non-verbal cues still matter online. Smile, nod, and maintain an open posture to show engagement and professionalism.
Stay Focused by Setting Small Goals
Set a Connection Goal: Aim to establish at least 2-3 meaningful connections during the meeting. Focus on those goals, and it will help keep your mind on the event rather than wandering.
Track Your Networking Progress: After the meeting, review who you spoke to, and what next steps (if any) you need to take. This can help you stay accountable and focused for future meetings.
Updates from Simply Business Club
Simply Business Club has had some time off over the summer but in the background we have been working really hard to improve everything we offer. From this magazine to the yearly wall planners we produce to the networking we offer.
SBC Magazine
We know that our readers enjoy the content that we share and the fact we do not include loads of adverts. We believe it is better to share advice and tips and promote positive business activity. With that in mind we have been working on the platform that we use, issuu.com, looking at our analytics and working out the best way to get our editions out into the world.
Would you like to attend business networking that is relaxed and efficient? Simply Business Club is that place, come along online or in-person, share in the support we offer to everyone who comes along, get to know the other people in the room, remember, a rising tide lifts all boats, if we all help each other we will all win!
What if we don’t have an inperson meeting in your area? We are working hard to find people who are willing to work with Simply Business Club, we want to host meetings across the UK. If you feel you are someone who might be interested in working with us then get in touch, this role is paid role based on new members and attendees to the meetings.
Contact our network leader John to discuss in more detail, subject line In-Person Opportunities john@simplybusinessclub.co.uk
We have also worked on updating the website and all back issues are listed on our magazine page, we want to make all of the website interactive and would welcome your feedback.
We share each edition on social media and via our email subscribers list. Each magazine recieves over 10k views from all platforms and we are really proud of what we have achieved over the 15 editions we have published.
Yearly Wall Planners
Each year for the past4 years SBC has produced a yearly wall planner, we offer members of the club the opportunity to advertise around the outside with 22 spaces available. 2025 is no different and we will be once again producing A1 wall planners for businesses, schools and offices to display.
These wall planners are FREE for anyone who wants one, the adverts have paid for them to be printed, if you would like one then please get in touch and tell us your address and we will send one out to you.
Simply Business Club
It has been an exciting few months within the SBC offices, meeting three times per week online and meeting at our in-person meetings but we decided to have break from the front end work, we stopped meetings during August and focused our attentions on social media and lead generation. We asked one of our members to help us find some leads and they came up trumps.
We got lots of leads for visits to meetings and we have had a great month of welcoming lots of new members in the early part of September.
Next up we have the launch of two new in person meetings, in Folkestone and Canterbury. I am sure they will be really great meetings and if you are local to either of these and you would like to attend then do get in touch with us as we would love to meet you.
We still offer no lockouts as we believe in collaboration over competition and we focus on support, giving everyone 3-4 minutes to talk about what you do and how we can help you progess.
Conversation is king in SBC meetings, after each person has finished updating the room we open it up for a conversation, someone might have a question or comment, or if the person speaking was in need of some assistance you might have the answer.
So, come along and find out what we have been up to and introduce yourself.
OVER TWO-THIRDS OF UK WORKERS HAVE QUIT OR CONSIDERED
QUITTING THEIR
OFFICE
London, September 2024: New research reveals the discrepancy between how UK managers believe they’re performing and the experience of those being managed by them, with over twothirds (67%) UK workers having left or considered leaving their job because of a bad manager. With almost 5 in 10 (46%) employees not feeling comfortable talking to their manager about mental health, the data also highlights the importance of management training in driving productivity and improving retention.
Unmind, a leading provider of workplace mental health solutions, polled 3,005 office workers (1,500 managers and 1,505 employees) to better understand how challenges around poor management and mental health support contribute to issues such as burnout and quiet quitting. While 83% of managers say they’ve had formal training in people leadership, only 63% of their direct reports believe the same. Two fifths (40%) UK workers say they don’t believe their manager has had sufficient training or the right skills to perform their role.
Those in management positions feel they need more training to improve their hard skills such as delegating effectively (29%), providing feedback (26%) and
JOB DUE TO POOR MANAGEMENT
being more organised (25%). However, their direct reports say they need to upskill in softer attributes such as listening (32%) and motivating the team (30%). Similarly, while 87% of managers feel prepared to handle the challenges of the role, over half (57%) of those being managed believe their managers would benefit from further education or training, underscoring the competency gap.
When asked what areas they feel their manager lacks the most, listening was the top concern among employees, at 32%. Conversely, it was the bottom
choice among managers, with only 18% stating listening was their weakest area. Interestingly, 55% of those being managed say listening is a key attribute of a good manager, while only 48% of managers say the same.
Dr Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, comments: “Many managers find themselves in leadership roles without any formal training – they’re essentially accidental bosses. Our research highlights the profound impact our managers can have on our mental health, underscoring the urgent need for organisations to address the managerial skills gap. By acknowledging the incredible positive impact a skilled manager can have on their employees’ wellbeing and performance, companies can take meaningful steps to improve employee engagement, retention and ultimately the bottom line.”
When it comes to being open about mental health in the workplace, the two groups experience very different realities. Seven in ten (71%) managers say they feel comfortable having conversations about mental health, while only 54% of direct reports feel the same; in fact, a quarter (25%) feel uncomfortable. Likewise, while threequarters (75%) of managers believe their company supports their mental health, only 63% of direct reports agree, with a huge 35% saying their company does not.
Almost a third of UK workers (28%) believe talking openly about their mental health at work could harm their chances of progression, while 27% have concerns around confidentiality. On the other hand, managers were most worried about saying the wrong thing (40%) and the stigma around certain conversations (35%). A third (32%) of all respondents said they would lie and blame a physical problem if they needed to take time off for mental health reasons, with one in ten people saying that talking about mental health is against their company culture entirely.
Over a quarter (26%) of managers and almost half (47%) of employees surveyed have never had any sort of mental health training. This has a tangible effect on productivity, as seven in ten (70%) direct reports say that having a manager who has the skills to discuss mental health would help them feel more supported and productive in their role. Similarly, 49% of managers state the lack of management training at their workplace contributes to lost productivity.
Despite these challenges, there is consensus on the need for improvement. Firstly, 42% of all those polled say there’s a need for more training in the workplace, to encourage more effective management. Specifically, 74% of managers report that people management training would help them to more effectively support employees with absences and issues stemming from poor mental health.
Unmind’s recent Randomised Controlled Trial of 300 US and UK leaders reveals that
just over an hour of digital mental health training designed for managers led to significant improvements: 73% increased their mental health knowledge, 70% gained greater confidence in addressing mental health issues, and 63% engaged in more proactive behaviours to support themselves and their colleagues.
Dr Nick Taylor continues: “In today’s workforce, employees at all levels experience feelings of burnout and work-related stress. It’s essential that managers have the skills and tools to address these challenges, and mental health training must form a core part of all management training. With the right training, managers can create supportive work environments where mental health and wellbeing are championed and employees are able to perform at their best.”
New research shows two thirds of workers feel powerless to fully manage blurred work-life boundaries
Stress, burnout and anxiety from unboundaried work result in average of five days of sick leave a year lost per employee
The new government’s planned ‘Right to Switch Off’ for employees is just a starting point for organisations who want to address the profound negative impact which unboundaried work has on businesses and their employees, according to new research released by Protime UK.
The research, conducted among 2,000 UK employees and published in a new report “The Work-Life Boundary Gap – Why it Matters and How to Fix it”, found that while 93% employees said work-life balance was critical for good overall wellbeing, two thirds (67%) of employees don’t feel they can fully switch off or keep their own worklife boundaries.
The study found that poor worklife balance negatively impacted 41% employee wellbeing on a daily or weekly basis and two thirds of employees (65%) on a monthly basis or more.
‘Right to switch off’ – Just the starting point for improving
employee wellbeing and productivity
Employees took an average of 5.4 days of sickness absence in the last year due to stress, anxiety or burn-out and only a quarter (26%) saying they had never taken time off for this reason.
The other key findings of the research were:
Employees say unwanted messages and alerts are prime cause of outof-hours interuptions: Avoiding the urge to check work emails (58%) outside of working hours and removing push-notifications (54%) are the main actions which can enable employees to mentally switch off outside of working hours.
Maintaining work-life boundaries is primarily the responsibility of employers: 62% say managers should ensure employees can mentally switch off outside working hours and 59% say organisations should enforce boundaries.
Respecting work-life boundaries must be supported by other actions to help employees switch-off: Respecting work-life boundaries (54%), ensuring workloads are manageable (52%) and creating a culture where switching off is respected and encouraged (48%) are the top actions employees want organisations to take.
Employers need guidelines to manage work-life boundaries: Just one quarter of employees (24%) think employers and employees are best placed to decide on how they want to work and less than one in five (17%) thought one-size fits all rules can be bad for business.
Employers need guidelines to manage work-life boundaries: Just one quarter of employees (24%) think employers and employees are best placed to decide on how they want to work and less than one in five (17%) thought onesize fits all rules can be bad for business.
The ‘Right to Disconnect’ is widely supported: 72% of employees support the introduction of a ‘Right to Disconnect’ similar to Ireland’s policy, with many employees believing it would significantly improve their work-life balance and
A significant opportunity for employers to improve the way they manage employee wellbeing: Just one in ten workers (11%) said their employer did a very good job of managing wellbeing and a quarter (26%) say there is no meaningful support for their wellbeing.
Few organisations have a comprehensive approach to managing wellbeing: Barely one in five employees reported initiatives such as being consulted on realistic work volumes (21%), setting clear work-life boundaries (21%), the existence (18%) or enforcement of policy that protects work-life balance (20%).
Commenting on the research Simon Garrity, UK & International Business Development, Protime said: “Our research clearly demonstrates that unboundaried work is having a significant negative impact on employee wellbeing and productivity.
While the “Right to Switch Off” is a crucial step in the right direction, it’s just the beginning. Organisations need to take a comprehensive approach to managing work-life boundaries, including clear policies, cultural changes, and practical tools to support employees.
The potential benefits are substantial – improved employee wellbeing, reduced burnout and absenteeism, and ultimately, enhanced productivity. It’s time for businesses to recognise that respecting work-life boundaries isn’t just good for employees; it’s essential for long-term organisational success.”
