Business decline hits health of engineering managers 18 July 2012

Managers in the engineering sector are working longer hours in more stressful conditions to cope with the recession, according to a study that compares their wellbeing now with that in 2007.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Simplyhealth report 'The Quality of Working Life 2012' suggests that the economic climate is having serious effects on engineering managers' physical and mental health.

The research, which surveyed more than 1,300 managers across a range of sectors, finds that the average engineering manager now works around 56 days unpaid overtime per year – working back more than twice the average annual leave entitlement.

Also, although 46% of managers reported being in good health, a substantially higher percentage complained that their health had worsened in the last three months (23%) than had improved (6%).

Presenteeism is also prevalent – with 44% believing that people work despite being ill.

Beyond straight health issues, 'negative' management continue to prevail, with commonly reported problem styles being bureaucratic (39%), reactive (36%), and authoritarian (26%).

The research suggests that these management cultures are affecting businesses and holding back growth. It links negative management styles to employee disengagement, decreasing job satisfaction, poor mental and physical health, reductions in productivity and business decline.

"It's official: especially in a recession, authoritarian is out and empowering is in," comments CMI chief executive Ann Francke.

"It's more than just words – if you're a trusting manager and are good to your people you can reap big business rewards. If you're not, you're causing stress that is damaging the health of your people and the business."

And Howard Hughes, head of employer marketing at Simplyhealth, adds: "We're now in a double dip recession; unemployment is high; consumer confidence is low; and businesses and individuals are feeling the pinch.

"Meeting objectives in a tough economic climate can mean tough decisions need to be made and restructuring or other organisational changes are necessary. This is perhaps one of the reasons why managers and directors are working around 1.5 hours per day over their contract in 2012."

Hughes urges organisations to ensure they have programmes in place to encourage employees to be proactive about caring for their health. "This kind of good management will increase productivity, and ultimately the bottom line," he asserts.

Other key findings for engineering managers include: while 51% are satisfied in their jobs, more managers are suffering from stress and depression, with 34% suffering stress symptoms and 13% depression.

Worryingly, 32 per cent of the managers surveyed would leave if they thought they could find another job.

Brian Tinham

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