Overworked? You are not alone

Frazzled?

Too much work?

Not enough time for the kids?

Well, at least you are not alone.

The Statistician recognises your lifestyle.  If you can call it that.

In a report just released, the Australian Bureau of Statistics concedes that extra hours, multiple jobs and weekend work are all “cutting into” our family lives.

That comment is contained in the latest issue of the Bureau’s publication Social Trends.  (see www.abs.gov.au).

This observation is remarkable, as the Bureau has also noted that many Australian employers have responded to the global economic crisis by putting workers on short time arrangements, to save money.

Some workers, apparently, have responded by taking second jobs.

The Bureau said most of Australia’s more than 1.5 million families with children – and most of them have two parents working.

It noted, too, that 80 per cent of these families had at least one parent who said they were often – or always – pressed for time.

That happened – mainly – because those working parents struggled to find a balance between their work and family lives.

The Bureau said, too, that;”Over half – 58 per cent – of all working couples had at least one parent who usually worked extra hours.”

It said, also, that a similar proportion regularly worked in the evenings,