6% locally have had to leave jobs after a split, or have a colleague who has; 14% have seen workplace hit by sick leave following stress of break-up; 13% say separation or divorce had a negative impact on productivity
Businesses in Watford are suffering as a result of divorce and separation. That’s the finding of a new piece of research from family law not for profit group Resolution.
The research, released today 26th November shows that 6% of people in the East of England have either had to leave their job as a result of their own separation, or have seen a colleague move on for the same reason.
According to Resolution, which commissioned the research to mark Family Dispute Resolution Week, the stress of separation also has an impact, with 14% saying they or one of their colleagues has had to take sick leave as a direct result of the anguish of a break up. While 13% of people in the East of England said separation and divorce has had a negative impact on productivity where they work.
Yet, despite the effect it has on them or their colleagues, just 9% of people in the East of England think their employers offer adequate support for people going through a break up, with 32% saying more needs to be done to provide support in the workplace for those undergoing separation or divorce.
It’s estimated that divorce costs the British economy up to £46 billion every year; and the British Chambers of Commerce recently emphasised the relationship between employees’ wellbeing and business productivity.
Local family lawyer Rebekah Gershuny at Collins Solicitors in Watford, the North West London and Hertfordshire liaison for Resolution, said:
“It can be easy to forget that sometimes things going on outside of work have a profound effect on what happens within it, as these figures show.
“With workers across Britain seeing a notable impact on productivity, taking sick leave, or even leaving their jobs altogether, divorce and separation is an issue that bosses need to take seriously and look out for the warning signs.
“There are 3,390 small businesses (i.e. those with less than 50 employees) in Watford so losing just one member of staff, even for a short amount of time, can have a huge impact on productivity, and on the other people who work there.
“Divorce is massively stressful – but there is a better ways to deal handle it. Resolution members in North West London & Hertfordshire help people manage their separation in a way that minimises conflict, focuses on the needs of any children they might have, and helps them avoid court if they can.
“Divorce and separation affects a huge number of people – 78% of people in the East of England have been through a split themselves, or know someone who has.
“So if someone you know at work is separating from their spouse or partner, encourage them to speak to a Resolution member, read the advice on Resolution’s website, or download Resolution’s free guide to the options available to them. Separation is tough, but there is a better way.”
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Rebekah Gershuny at Collins Solicitors
on 01923 223 324 or rgershuny@collinslaw.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Resolution is a group of over 6,500 family lawyers and other professionals in England and Wales. Its members sign up to a code of conduct, which means they promote a non-confrontational, constructive approach to resolving family disputes. To find out more, visit www.resolution.org.uk
2. Collins Solicitors is an established and well respected independent family owned and run law firm. The firm is known for its Personal Injury, Family, Commercial and Property Law advice. Rebekah Gershuny is qualified mediator, a member of Resolution, and a qualified Collaborative Lawyer committed to resolving disputes in a non-confrontational way.
3. ComRes interviewed 4,031 GB adults online between the 26 September and 2 October 2014, including 358 in the East of England. Data were weighted to be representative of all GB adults aged 18+. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables are available at www.comres.co.uk
4. On 30 October 2014, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses recognise that the wellbeing of their workforce improves business productivity and in turn, has a positive impact on growth.”
5. Source for small business numbers: Office for National Statistics (Data tables available here )
6. In June 2013, the Centre for Social Justice estimated the annual cost to Government of family breakdown to be £46 billion (Fractured Families – Why Stability Matters).
