Landing a well-paid job in a foreign company is
something millions of China's jobseekers dream of, but the findings of a
recent survey may change their minds.
Nearly 90 percent of Chinese staff in foreign companies suffer from
work-related illnesses,
according to a recent survey by the Horizon Research Consultancy Group.
Of the 1,521 respondents working for foreign companies, 91 percent
reported symptoms such as burnout, stress, frustration, lack of sleep
or numbness in the neck and shoulders after work, said Horizon. Those
interviewed cited a total of 27 work-related symptoms.
Interviews were carried out over the telephone, via e-mail or fax or
face to face in four cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and
Wuhan.
And 15.4 percent of those surveyed said they suffered from at least
seven symptoms, which could lead to a breakdown or serious illness according to
Horizon analysts.
Another 5 percent said they suffered from at least 10 symptoms, which
indicated they were extremely overworked, said Horizon.
Half of the respondents said they did little physical exercise, while
many complained about working more than 10 hours a day, returning home
late at night and having to work over weekends.
Of the most common symptoms of interviewees, 30 percent said they
suffered from poor memory, as well as stress, mood swings and accelerated
aging.
Middle-aged, highly paid employees were more vulnerable to work-related
illnesses, according to the survey.
About 15.8 percent of the middle-aged respondents said they showed at
least seven symptoms.
Of the group earning more than 8,000 yuan ($1,025) a month, 19 percent
said they suffered at least seven symptoms of being overworked.
A lack of regular health checks and an unhealthy lifestyle, including
drinking, smoking and skipping breakfast also made matters worse,
according to the survey.
