Holiday? Not here!

Mar 22 2008 by Anne-Marie Bradley, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD workers could be among those struggling to switch off this Easter to enjoy a break.

A survey by Yorkshire Bank shows two-thirds of workers in the region will be keeping in touch with the office, either by mobile phone or email.

Almost half also admitted how balancing work commitments with their private life was impossible.

Also, 72% said their interaction with work annoyed their families.

In the North-West 86% said they would be in contact with work while on holiday. Around three-quarters of people in the North-East and Midlands also planned to stay in touch.

Kath Myers, regional director of Yorkshire Bank’s financial solutions centre, said: “What this research clearly shows is that workers in Yorkshire just don’t know when to stop when it comes to work.

“It is acknowledged that the UK has a culture of working long hours than virtually all of its European counterparts.

“But, nonetheless, it’s astounding that so many people don't use their holiday time as a means to recharge their batteries.

“The boom in the use of mobile phones, Blackberries and wireless internet means that nowadays we all seem to expect immediate responses.

“Unfortunately, this has resulted in a blur between work and home life and now it seems many are finding it too difficult to draw the line.

“Just like mobiles and Blackberries, if we stay switched on too long then sooner or later our batteries will run out.”