A week rarely goes by when we don’t hear how public services are taking the brunt of government cuts. We hear how the NHS is in crisis, social care and housing is in short supply, charities are left trying to plug the gaps with limited resources and what it means for those in need. However, all too often we ignore the effect the cuts have had, and continue to have, on the well-being of the workforce.
Over the next four weeks, the Guardian Society Professionals networks will be focusing on the staff who deliver vital public services. Our project – Clock Off – will explore the physical and mental wellbeing of employees in the public and voluntary sectors, including your stories and advice on how to switch off.
This project began with a survey of 3,700 employees, and found that 95% of public and voluntary sector staff surveyed work beyond their contracted hours, 93% say they experience stress in relation to their work and, on average, staff are working an extra seven hours each week.
The coalition of sites and their communities , including the Healthcare, Social Care, Voluntary Sector, Housing and Public Leaders networks, will be looking at topics such as stress, mindfulness, pay, work-life balance, health, trauma and much more.
Society Professionals also want to hear from you. Tell us how you manage your work-life balance on social media with the hashtag #ClockOff and share your stories and photos via Guardian Witness.
To find out more visit the Society Professional’s Network homepage
