This survey on work-life balance in the craft was just published. It found that almost half journalists would consider leaving the craft.
An excerpt:
Out of Balance: Poynter Survey Reveals Journalists' Pressure Points
The Poynter Institute Work-Life Balance Survey explores who is at risk and why.
By Jill Geisler
Work-life balance issues are real and troubling to people who work in news organizations. We heard it -- clearly and convincingly -- from journalists and media leaders who responded to a detailed online survey from Poynter.
The 750 respondents tell a story of long hours, pressure to do more, missed vacations, staff cutbacks, and as a result, a significant number of journalists who are considering leaving the field. Those most at risk of leaving are young journalists, women, and minorities. But others are not far behind them in that consideration.
The risk of losing journalists due to work-life balance issues is especially troubling because they also report a high level of satisfaction with the work of journalism. It is the working conditions that are at issue.
Key issues:
- Always work more than 40 hours a week: 65.1 percent of respondents
- Did not take all the vacation they had coming in the past year: 52.5 percent
- Organizations cut staff in the past two years: 67.2 percent
- Staff shortages negatively affect their work-life balance "consistently" or "frequently": 50.9 percent
- Have seriously considered leaving journalism: 47.2 percent