Long-hours culture

Around four million people in the UK work more than 48 hours a week.

Many choose to - long hours can mean a good standard of living, status and promotion at work, high self-esteem and job satisfaction. But in research for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), nearly a third of those working more than 48 hours felt long hours were forced upon them.

Overwork eats into leisure time, can damage personal relationships and cause health problems -see Table 1

Tired of the strain, 1.4 million Britons have already quit the long-hours culture in order to seek a better work/life balance and, according to the insurance company Prudential, another 2.3 million are planning to do so. In the jargon, they are choosing to 'downshift'.

What is downshifting?

Borrowed from motoring, the term "downshifting" (slipping down a gear) was first coined by a New York marketing agency to describe high-flyers opting for a lower salary in order to achieve a more fulfilling lifestyle. But over the last decade, downshifting has crossed the Atlantic and been embraced across all ages and income groups.

Although we live in an overtly consumer age, a sizeable and growing minority are questioning whether affluence and material goods equal happiness. A dominant theme among downshifters is regaining control over time, whether to spend with family and friends, on fulfilling alternative ambitions or doing more worthwhile jobs.

Sometimes downshifting is triggered by a major life event, such as starting a family, health problems or being made redundant. Although you might initially view such events as problems, particularly financially, they can sometimes have a silver lining by being the catalyst you need to try something new.

Downshifting can take many forms: an extended career break, switching to a new job or career, staying put but negotiating shorter or more flexible hours, part-time working or job-sharing, telecommuting, starting your own business or retiring early. Each type involves a different set of challenges and decisions.

And which suits you will depend on your particular goals and circumstances. For example, women are more likely to cut back their hours or take a career break in order to juggle work with family commitments such as caring for young children or elderly relatives. Switching career tends to be more popular with men.

You have legal rights that might help you to downshift. For example:

• parents of young children can request flexible working;
• age discrimination at work is to be outlawed from October 2006, which may in particular help older workers who fear discrimination when applying for jobs;
• if you are made redundant you usually have the right to receive at least a minimum amount of redundancy pay; and in some cases leaving because of job-related stress can amount to unfair dismissal for which compensation would be payable.

In theory, under European law, you also have the right not to work more than 48 hours a week unless you have voluntarily agreed to work longer. In practice, however, "voluntary agreement" may be a standard term of your employment contract, or the culture at work may be such that you are viewed as less than dedicated if you stick to your contractual hours.

Do you have what it takes?

Many people dream of an alternative lifestyle, but making it happen takes determination, courage, self-belief and - peversely - hard work. Tips from people who have taken the plunge include:

• Follow your interests as fully as you can;
• Ultimately do what you want - even if it doesn't quite work out as you'd hoped;
• Plan thoroughly and do the sums objectively;
• Do research into your chosen path and have a second option in case your first doesn't work out;
• Don't just think: I'm at A and want to go to B. You may need intermediate steps to get there;
• Do your homework - look for help and take what's offered. Don't be afraid to ask others for advice and help;
• Yes, you will be worried but plan well and then be prepared to take the risk.