Staples Survey Offers Insights into Work-Life ConflictsFRAMINGHAM, Mass., Jan 08, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Almost half of U.S. small business managers work during time meant
for family and admit to making business calls and checking e-mail
while driving, according to a national survey exposing the unusual
lengths taken by today's workers to manage increasingly 24/7 jobs.
Conducted on behalf of Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS), the telephone
poll explored the balance between work and personal time for 300
leaders of companies with fewer than 20 employees, a group
representing nearly 90 percent of all U.S. businesses, according to
the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Overall,
respondents reported long hours, diminished vacation and an
ever-blurring line separating work from time-off.
"Time is a critical resource for companies of all sizes, but it's
of even greater importance to small business managers, who possess a
larger stake in their company's success and often lack the support
infrastructure of bigger businesses," said John Giusti, vice president
of Staples Business Delivery, a division of Staples that delivers to
small businesses. "The results from this survey reflect what we
regularly hear from our small business customers, who say a lack of
time is a constant challenge."
The survey revealed some startling work habits, such as nearly one
in five managers (18 percent) admit to reading work-related e-mail and
documents while in the bathroom and nearly half (49 percent) work
while driving.
For most of the managers surveyed, the standard 40-hour work week
does not apply. Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) work well beyond a
40-hour week, and one in five (21 percent) work a double week, logging
an extra 40 or more on-the-job hours. Participants cited business
growth (9 percent) added responsibility (7 percent) and "trying to
keep up" (5 percent) for their heavy workloads. Some managers have
compensated for these increased work demands by letting work trespass
into once-sacred personal time. For instance:
-- One in five (21 percent) work while eating dinner at least 4-5
times per week;
-- More than a third (37 percent) could not readily remember
their last vacation. Of those who did vacation, nearly half
admit to working during some portion of it.
Additionally, the pervasiveness of mobile phones and hand-held
e-mail devices has only contributed to these long hours at
untraditional times.
-- More than two-thirds (68 percent) work on days off, checking
e-mail, voicemail or making work-related calls;
-- Two-thirds (66 percent) work after hours and at night;
-- Half (51 percent) work on holidays;
-- And almost half (47 percent) work during what is supposed to
be family time.
Generally, surveyed leaders of younger companies and those with
fewer employees expressed the most lopsided work-life balance, and the
vast majority (92 percent) characterized their workload as about the
same or heavier than from a year ago.
"Companies wishing to serve small businesses must recognize their
critical need for time," said Giusti. "At Staples, we work hard to
make it easy for our small business customers, providing a central
resource for office products and services, so our customers can focus
their time on running their businesses."
How Staples Makes Things Easy
Recognizing the importance of time for its small business
customers, Staples strives to serve as a central resource, providing a
host of products and services to help increase workplace productivity.
Staples' services range from custom printing--including business
cards, letterhead, forms and promotional items--to technology
consultation to free office space configuration. Online tools at
Staples.com such as "Easy Reorder" and "Favorite Lists" allow
customers to quickly order frequently-used supplies by accessing
previous orders and tagging preferred items for future reference.
Staples' "InkDrop" program enables customers to easily receive new
printer cartridges by simply mailing back used cartridges in pre-paid
envelopes. Another service, "Easy Rebates," lets customers easily
apply for rebates online. For more information on products and
services, visit www.staples.com.
About the Survey
The survey was developed by Staples and conducted by International
Communications Research (ICR) in Media, Pa. ICR surveyed by telephone
a random sample of 300 owners and executives of American businesses
having no more than 20 employees. The respondents included 133
establishments with 1-2 employees; 71 with 3-5; and 71 with 6-20. This
breakout roughly mimics the proportional distribution of employees
according to national statistics, such as those recorded by the NFIB
Small Business Policy Guide. Interviews were conducted from Dec. 6,
2006 to Dec. 12, 2006. Such a sample has a margin of error of plus or
minus 5.7 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.
About Staples
Staples, Inc. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and
today is the world's largest office products company. With 69,000
talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy
a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology,
furniture, and business services. With 2005 sales of $16.1 billion,
Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based
businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North
and South America, Europe and Asia. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates more than 1,800 office superstores and also serves
its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and contract
businesses. More information is available at www.staples.com.
SOURCE: Staples, Inc.
For Staples, Inc.
Sarah Francomano, 617-937-2580
sarah.francomano@mslpr.com
or
Owen Davis, 508-253-8468
owen.davis@staples.com
