Employees in Hong Kong would consider leaving their jobs for better work-life balance.

According to the survey conducted by Community Business, a non-profit organization specializing in corporate social responsibility in Hong Kong, one third of employees interviewed indicate that they would consider leaving their current job for better work-life balance.

The survey has shown that employees in Hong Kong have a worse work-life ratio in 2008 (84:16) compared to 2007 (83:17). More than 60% of employees say they suffer from prolonged fatigue as a result of poor work-life balance. An increase in number of employees (38% in 2008, up from 33% in 2007) state that long working hours are having a negative impact on their work productivity and work quality. Nearly one-fifth (18%) of the respondents consider “long working hours” the biggest challenge to their work-life balance, compared to 15% last year.

Employers’ efforts in promoting work-life balance were rated lower than last year, with an index of 4.6 out of 10 this year and 4.7 in 2007.

More than a quarter (27%) of the employees say a 5-day working week would help them most in achieving work-life balance.

Shalini Mahtani, CEO of Community Business, comments that employers need to ensure they have the best people to help drive business performance especially in difficult economy. “This survey tell us that if you don’t treat your employees well, they may well leave you in search of better options elsewhere.”

This survey was conducted in July 2008 on 1,011 respondents who were full-time employees aged 15 and above.