Taiwan’s workforce now has a better work-life balance than it did two years ago, according to Luxemburg-based office equipment provider Regus PLC.
The 2012 Work-Life Balance Index, compiled by surveying more than 16,000 workers from 86 countries and territories, showed Taiwan improved from 106 points in 2010 to 114 points this year.
Taiwan was ranked higher than Japan, France and South Korea, but did not fare as well as Mexico, Brazil and mainland China, the three areas that improved the most in terms of striking a good balance between work and personal life.
The report said the outstanding improvement of the three areas was due to their realization of the “importance of achieving a better work-life balance,” even as they continue in their “quest for exponential growth.”
Many developed countries have not shown any improvement over the last two years because of cuts made in their social welfare programs, Regus said.
Taiwan businesses are offering a more enjoyable environment for their employees, with 42 percent of those surveyed saying they have enough time to develop personal interests and engage in different activities from work, the report said.
With a score of 41, the Republic of Mauritius received the poorest work-life balance rating, the report showed.
According to Regus, its index takes a number of different factors into consideration, including feelings of enjoyment, sense of achievement and satisfaction with the amount of time spent at home. Quantitative measures such as working hours were also factored in, the company said. (HZW)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw