EMPLOYERS are being urged to adopt a more positive attitude to the balance between work and life.

According to the TUC, people in Britain work the longest hours in the EU. And the need for a more flexible approach has been backed by a Gwent business leader. Four million people in the UK continue to work more than 48 hours a week despite the introduction of the European Working Time Directive in 1999.

The TUC and the Industrial Society have joined forces to condemn the "long hours" culture and urge employers to have a more positive approach to work/life balance. TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Too many workers in the UK are expected to work long hours with inflexibly for no return."

Will Hutton, of the Industrial Society, said balancing work and life was crucial to better work- place performance and productivity.

"Traditionally, UK employers have found it very difficult to reconcile flexible working with the embedded culture of presenteeism. The irony is that this inflexible approach to work/life balance decreases employment motivation and results."

David Russ, chief executive of both Newport and Gwent Chamber of Commerce and Newport and Gwent Enterprise, supported this point of view.

"We would be looking to improve the quality of life people have and there needs to be a clear balance between working activities and leisure activities.

"From a human perspective various studies show that overwork links to over-stress which then links to under performance in work."

Workers who did have the balance right were more motivated and energised. Mr Russ said there did need to be flexibility. Sometimes people did need to work extended hours but this should be over a short period of time.

The TUC has launched new guidelines aimed at showing companies how flexible working can be achieved and how it will benefit them and their staff.

What do you think? Are you working long hours? Or are long hours the norm? Write to the Argus at letters@gwent-wales.co.uk