IT Workers Struggle To Strike Life/Work Balance

Compiled ByTim Stevens Results of a survey of 3,900 information technology (IT) professionals shows they are a hard working bunch, if not exploited. Conducted by TechRepublic, an online destination for the IT community at www.TechRepublic.com, the study shows 92% of IT professionals work more than 40 hours a week, and 11% work more than 60 hours per week. Nearly four out of five said they felt working more than 40 hours per week was a requirement for success in their jobs. Two out of three respondents felt they worked too much, with 56% saying they received no compensation for their overtime efforts. Only about one-half of respondents said they were somewhat or very successful in balancing their personal and professional lives, and 81% said working too much created stress in their working or personal lives, or both. Some 80% used a communications device to maintain contact with their offices outside of working hours. Significantly, 40% of respondents said they worked their long hours because their function was understaffed, while another 18% said their management doesn't realize how long it takes to complete their tasks. Other workers cited unqualified colleagues.