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It is, perhaps, no great surprise that the long-hours' culture of many UK employers can have a damaging effect on employees' health. But the news that female staff are more likely to be adversely affected by working excessive hours than their male counterparts (Personnel Today, 25 July) should sound alarm bells. The report from the Economic and Social Research Council indicated that women are more prone to snack on unhealthy food, drink caffeine, smoke and take less exercise when working long hours. Their male colleagues show no such increase. Unhealthy hassles The study of 422 employees analysed the link between unhealthy behaviour and the number of hassles – such as constant meetings and rude colleagues – experienced during the working day. "Women who work long hours eat more high-fat and high-sugar snacks, exercise less, drink more caffeine and, if smokers, smoke more than their male colleagues," said the report's co-author Dr Daryl O'Connor. "While for men, working long hours has no negative impact on exercise, caffeine intake or smoking." But why are women more susceptible to unhealthy behaviour at work? Are women somehow less able to cope with the demands of the modern office? Report co-author Dr Fiona Jones said there was no evidence to suggest that women are unable to cope. Rather, women are still juggling multiple roles at work and at home and are stressed out as a result, according to Jones. "Women look after everything and are more likely to be the primary carers," she said. Nick Isles, director of advocacy at the Work Foundation, agreed that women in partnerships usually take more responsibility for the home and children. "Employers need to recognise the pressures women are under," he said. But Dr Sayeed Khan, chief medical adviser at manufacturers' group the EEF, was surprised by the results. "Men are more likely to suffer from depressive illnesses, such as stress, than women," he said. "Women tend to be better at vocalising how they feel, which can have a cathartic effect." Khan added that the findings indicated gender should be taken into consideration when assessing occupational health matters. Experts agree that implementing stronger flexible-working practices is paramount if the potential of women is not to be lost. Sarah Jackson, chief executive of charity Working Families, said: "[Employers] have to make flexible working available for all senior-level people, o
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