Many Shanghai office staffers are suffering from burnout due to an increased in work hours over the past two years, according to a report by an international human resources firm. 

Hudson Recruitment, a US-based, Nasdaq-listed headhunter, surveyed 604 executives from multinational companies in all sectors about their Shanghai work practices.

Fifty-eight percent of respondents said they worked longer hours than ever before, while one-third reported that their work time was about the same as two years ago.

Those working the longest were professionals in the media, public relations and advertising sectors, with 63 percent saying they worked over 50 hours a week. The biggest increase in hours was reported in the banking sector.

The majority of local employees spent 40 to 50 hours a week at work, and 7 percent work more than 60 hours.

"Chinese people are responding to a booming economy by working longer," Gary Lazzarotto, Hudson's Asia chief executive, said in a written statement.

He said the survey results were consistent with the growing demand for branding and publicity services and the work required meeting WTO standards in the banking sector.

The heavy schedules are contributing to a high employee burnout rate, the report said.

Nearly one-third of companies surveyed reported a rise in employees unable to work efficiently, especially among staffers in manufacturing, consumer products and the media.

Jojo Tang, an account executive in a local advertising company, said growing work pressures have deprived her of her hobbies, such as reading and sports.

"The frequent overtime makes me sleepy and unable to concentrate the next day," said Tang.

To address the issue, many employers said they are taking measures to help staff, including reducing work hours, hiring more people and adopting career management coaching.

About 47 percent of companies said they are offering flexible work hours, gym memberships and educational allowances.

(eastday.com April 28, 2005)