Member Article

Coventry businesses suffering as a result of divorce and separation

Businesses in Coventry are suffering as a result of divorce and separation – new research has found.

A report commissioned to mark Family Dispute Resolution Week has found that 11 per cent of people in the West Midlands have either had to leave their job as a result of their own separation, or have seen a colleague move on for the same reason.

The stress of separation also has an impact, with 17 per cent saying they or one of their colleagues has had to take sick leave as a direct result of the anguish of a break up. While 16 per cent of people in the West Midlands said separation and divorce has had a negative impact on productivity where they work.

Yet despite the effect it has on them or their colleagues, just nine per cent of people think their employers offer adequate support for people going through a break up, with 31 per cent saying more needs to be done to provide support in the workplace for those undergoing separation or divorce.

It’s estimated that divorce costs the British economy up to £46bn every year, and the British Chambers of Commerce recently emphasised the relationship between employees’ wellbeing and business productivity.

Tracy Cross, a family mediator and collaborative family lawyer at Coventry law firm Band Hatton Button and a member of family law not-for-profit group Resolution, who commissioned the research, said the report raises awareness of the effect that family breakdowns have on all walks of life.

“It can be easy to forget that sometimes things going on outside of work have a profound effect on what happens within it, as these figures show,” Tracy said.

“With workers across Britain seeing a notable impact on productivity, taking sick leave, or even leaving their jobs altogether, divorce and separation is an issue that bosses need to take seriously and look out for the warning signs.

“There are 7,235 small businesses in Coventry, with less than 50 employees, so losing just one member of staff, even for a short amount of time, can have a huge impact on productivity, and on the other people that work there.

“Divorce is a really stressful thing to go through – but there is a better way to deal with it. Resolution members in Coventry help people manage their separation in a way that minimises conflict, focuses on the needs of any children they might have, and helps them avoid court if they can.

“Divorce and separation affects a huge number of people – 73 per cent of people in the West Midlands have been through a split themselves, or know someone who has.

“So if someone you know at work is separating from their spouse or partner, encourage them to speak to a resolution expert, and take advantage of free information available to them. Separation is tough, but there is a better way.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .