Recently, the think tank ‘nef’ released their report ‘National Accounts of Well Being: bringing real wealth onto the balance sheet’. As part of their report, their survey reveals that out of 22 European nations, Britain ranked only 13th in terms of social and personal well being. A core point they make is that the government’s measure the progress of a nation by GDP, and they feel that’s an inadequate indicator.

In December, the Union ‘Unite’ again called for MP’s to end Britain’s opt out of the EU working time directive, and put and end to our culture of long working hours. The joint secretary of the Union, Tony Woodley commented:

“We need to enforce the 48 hour average week, not find back door ways to extend it. Tired, over-stretched workers are not productive workers and are putting themselves and others at risk such as in the transport industry where we know, for instance, that that tired drivers are more dangerous than drunk driver.”

It’s easy for business to think that our UK general work culture is the norm, and to be expected - particularly in tough economic times. However, some organisations are more forward thinking; investing in the personal development and well being of their employees and getting great performance by focusing on a culture of motivation and positive growth.