BIZCHINA / Biz Life
Pressure of work takes its toll
By Wu Jiao (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-02-05 10:23
Landing a well-paid job in a foreign company is something millions of
China's jobseekers dream of, but the findings of a recent survey may
change their minds.
Nearly 90 percent of Chinese staff in foreign companies suffer from
work-related illnesses, according to a recent survey by the Horizon
Research Consultancy Group.
Employees of a foreign-invested enterprise receive outward development
training in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province. Many foreign
enterprises in China are resorting to such exercises to help their
employees build team spirit and tackle problems at work. [China Daily]
Of the 1,521 respondents working for foreign companies, 91 percent
reported symptoms such as burnout, stress, frustration, lack of sleep or
numbness in the neck and shoulders after work, said Horizon. Those
interviewed cited a total of 27 work-related symptoms.
Interviews were carried out over the telephone, via e-mail or fax or face
to face in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Wuhan.
And 15.4 percent of those surveyed said they suffered from at least seven
symptoms, which could lead to a breakdown or serious illness according to
Horizon analysts.
Another 5 percent said they suffered from at least 10 symptoms, which
indicated they were extremely overworked, said Horizon.
Half of the respondents said they did little physical exercise, while
many complained about working more than 10 hours a day, returning home
late at night and having to work over weekends.
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