Gone are the days of working ‘9 to 5’; according to new research revealed last month. The new trend among working women shows that nearly half (47 per cent) of women aged 25-44 in Australia, are working ‘5 to 9’, with 61 per cent working between nine and twenty hours per day.
The national survey, commissioned by the NESCAFÉ Café Menu® team uncovered this new trend, putting the spotlight on the long hours that modern Australian women are working and the lengths that they go to in order to take more breaks. According to the findings, after combining their day job, household chores and (for many) being a mum, Australian women only find the time to fit in on average, three 10-15 minute breaks during their long working days, with more than half (56 per cent) saying that they felt they deserved more.
When it came to finding ways to take a break in the home or office, the research unearthed the hidden truths of the working woman and the lengths they go to in order to find those precious minutes to take a moment for themselves.
At a time where smart devices are being consumed more than ever, 67 per cent of mums said that they have used a smartphone or tablet to distract the kids, with three out of four (75 per cent) using the TV as a babysitter. One in three mums with kids under 18 (39 per cent) even said that they have skipped pages of a bedtime story in order to get a break for themselves.
Back in the office, two in five women (40 per cent) have taken respite in the loo or told a white lie in order to grab a break. One in five (20 per cent) has even resorted to hiding from the boss to get back some time – with the bathroom revealed as the most popular place to hide.
When they do finally manage to fit in a break, the top pursuit for women was to catch-up on favourite TV shows (82 per cent), take a coffee break (75 per cent) and check up on social media, which was favoured by nearly three quarters of women (73 per cent). 71 per cent like to catch up with magazines or books and a further 67 per cent used their rare free time to send emails and texts. Other activities mentioned included exercise and being in the outdoors.
The NESCAFÉ Café Menu® team encourages women to sit back and take a well-deserved moment in their day and take a break for themselves and watch the full music video at www.working5to9.com.au and join the conversation #working5to9
