29 May 2008

5-9 working day replaces 9-5

- 74 per cent of employees work up to three hours extra every day to stay on top
- A quarter sleep with their PDAs next to the bed every night
- Two-thirds view hotel bedroom as refuge to escape work

Shocking new figures released today reveal the traditional nine-to-five working day has been usurped by the five-to-nine day.

Research by Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts shows increased demands on businessmen and women - coupled with the popularity of modern technology - has made the traditional working day of nine-to-five redundant.

While three quarters of people now work up to an extra three hours every day, five percent revealed they are almost doubling their day by regularly working seven unpaid hours a day.

Crowne Plaza asked more than 1,500 business people about their current working habits.  The results found that just 20 per cent of those questioned switch off completely when they leave the office. The remaining 80 percent find it impossible not to check emails outside working hours - and a dedicated one in three make themselves available 24/7.

Astonishingly, 62 per cent have gone to bed with their BlackBerry or mobile phone in case an important work call or email comes through during the night, while a quarter admitted sleeping with their PDA every night.  

The results highlighted the impact modern technology such as mobile phones, BlackBerrys and laptops has had on the workforce, with people now able to access and action their to-do list wherever they are.  According to the research 67 per cent admit they prefer to complete business any time of day or night, rather than leaving it until the next morning. A third also revealed they are expected to take PDAs on holiday with them, so that colleagues can get in touch with them.

Even though respondents work longer and harder than ten years ago, when asked about travelling on business 65 per cent consider their hotel room as the best place to get away, unwind and relax - rather than somewhere to continue working.

"Anyone who works in today's business world knows we all put in more than the now redundant nine-to-five, but doubling your working day is quite shocking," said Chris Hale, spokesperson for Crowne Plaza and IHG's Vice President Marketing & Communications EMEA. 

"For many of us, business travel is a big part of our lives - and longer working hours comes with the territory. But it is also very important to know when to switch off and recharge your batteries.

"It is refreshing that - despite this dedicated, fast moving environment - most business travellers still seek solace in their hotel room. Ensuring guests leave Crowne Plaza hotels refreshed and relaxed is obviously a priority for us, so these findings are really encouraging," Hale concluded.

Crowne Plaza rooms all feature temperature control, sound-insulation and light control so that guests can begin mentally unwinding from work the moment they set foot inside. All hotels further benefit from extensive leisure facilities and first-class restaurants to help those with busy working lives relax in a comfortable environment.

For further information please contact:

Andrew Smith
EMEA Communications
Tel: 01753 410346
Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Seyghal
PR Manager EMEA
Tel: 01753 410247
Email: [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is one of the world’s largest hotel groups by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, almost 4,000 hotels and more than 590,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel Indigo®, and also manages the world’s largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with over 37 million members worldwide.

IHG pioneered the travel industry’s first collaborative response to environmental issues as founder of the International Hotels and Environment Initiative (IHEI). The environment and local communities remain at the heart of IHG’s global corporate responsibility focus. IHG is the first major hotel group to have measured the environmental and carbon footprints of hotels that operate under our brands globally and is in the process of setting reduction targets.

With more than 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, IHG needs to recruit around 150,000 people over the next few years to meet its global expansion plans.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company AND IS incorporated IN Great Britain AND registered IN England AND Wales.

IHG offers information AND online reservations FOR ALL its hotel brands at www.ihg.com AND information FOR the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. FOR the latest news FROM IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

Ends