WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Middle East - More employees working for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Middle East are taking periodic holidays off work so they can recharge themselves.

It has been increasingly "commonplace" to see a high number of employees taking leave during the summer months where the desert heat in the Middle Eastern region takes its toll on employees. According to a survey by HP Middle East Imaging and Printing Group (IPG), 83% of employees at SMEs say taking a vacation allows them to return to work refreshed and more motivated, leading to higher productivity. Close to six in ten agreed that switching off from work completely during a holiday helps keep them invigorated when they are back in the office. Over a quarter also prefer taking a "luxury" break.

Dr. Michal Bashshur, industrial organisational psychologist and assistant professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain, said taking a long break from work helps employees lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle. He explained that a holiday helps reduce the physical and psychological strain that is placed on employees on a daily basis. Otherwise prolonged stress can lead to productivity declining.

Bashshur said, "Our jobs are becoming increasingly demanding due in part to the long hours we are expected to work and having to bring work into our home lives."

Bashshur added that taking a holiday is an effective coping mechanism that allows employees to continue coping with high job demands when they return to work.

Ernest Azzam, laser and enterprise solutions business manager for HP Middle East Imaging and Printing Group agreed that a summer break is effective in increasing workplace efficiency. "The survey results speak for themselves."

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