Released on: December 12, 2007, 8:51 am

Press Release Author: realbuzz

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: * NINE out of TEN Brits want more free time to do the things
they enjoy *

* 75% of Brits say their job massively impacts on their free time *



Press Release Body: 13 December 2007: realbuzz.com today reveals the results of an
independently commissioned survey delving into perceptions regarding the UK's
work-life balance. The research looked at the amount of time and money the Great
British public invests in a hobby or pastime and the impact of work on our free
time.



The findings highlight that Brits don't have enough time to do the things they enjoy
doing - with 87 per cent wishing they had more free time for a hobby or pastime.
Only five per cent said they have ample free time to themselves. More
interestingly, eight per cent of respondents were unsure whether or not they had
enough free time on their hands - this indicates that they either have no interest
in pursuing a pastime or are simply too busy with work to notice!



The old adage that Brits work long hours is alive and kicking - 45 per cent of
respondents claim to work in excess of the traditional average 40 hour week and a
whopping 38 per cent stated they actually work more than 60 hours each week.



Just over half of all respondents (52 per cent) stated that work severely gets in
the way of their social life at least once a week. With an additional quarter of
those surveyed (26 per cent) stating their career impacts on social lives at least
twice a week. Cumulatively these two statistics convey that a little over three
quarters of Brits feel that work has a noticeable - and ultimately negative - impact
on the enjoyment of their free time.



Fiona Gibbins, Marketing Director of realbuzz.com said: "Our research has thrown up
some interesting findings. It's staggering to see how strongly the British public
feels about work impacting on their free time and ultimately getting in the way of
them enjoying a pastime. Also, about the people we find the most motivational -
perhaps our work colleagues hit the spot because we spend so much time in their
company?!"



When asked how much money people spend on a hobby or pastime the results showed that
38 per cent (slightly more than one in three of us) do not actually spend money on
their hobby or pastime - which indicates a resurgence of free pastimes such as;
walking, cycling, reading and jogging.



The survey also considered our motivations for getting physical and it identified
that we find our workmates more motivational than our family members - in terms of
getting us to do something physically challenging. This question covered
activities such as; going to the gym or participating in a sport. One in four
respondents claimed that they found new acquaintances more motivational than either
family or friends. This finding implies that there are social barriers to overcome
when beginning a fitness regime and these obstacles aren't that apparent when we
partake in such activities with strangers.



realbuzz.com encourages people to connect with like-minded users both on and offline
- based on common interests and pastimes. The site's community features are driven
by the sharing of real life experiences and passions. Through interactive functions
such as; video and photo uploads, community boards and social networking users can
build a network of friends with similar interests. Ultimately realbuzz.com provides
an avenue to 'escapism'.



Visit www.realbuzz.com to see the site.



ENDS



Notes to editors:



* Sample: 1,000 face-to-face interviews were conducted during w/c 05 November 2007.

* Selection: respondents picked to be representative of the UK population core
demographics.

* Source: the research was commissioned using an independent street research team.



For further information, imagery or to request an interview please contact Custard PR:


Stu Campbell

Managing Director

stu@custardpr.com

+44(0)7795 570 946

+44(0)20 7494 6586



Web Site: http://www.realbuzz.com

Contact Details: Stu Campbell

Managing Director

stu@custardpr.com

+44(0)7795 570 946

+44(0)20 7494 6586