'Exploited, overworked' UK IT managers invisible to their families

IT mangers feel they are being exploited and overloaded with work by their bosses and are regularly missing out on family commitments because work priorities are sapping their free time, according to new research.

It's a pretty grim picture painted by the research from the Chartered Management Institute and recruitment consultant Adecco. The survey of 1,500 managers revealed that more than half felt bosses were piling on too much work and about a third considered themselves to be 'exploited' in the office.

The long-hours culture is playing havoc with techies' family life too. One third of IT managers said they were working an extra 14 hours on top of their contracted time – the equivalent of two extra working days.

The knock-on effect of being chained to the desk for so long means IT managers are missing on spending time with their nearest and dearest - over half said they had missed family commitments because of work.

What keeps IT managers from grabbing their P45 and making for the nearest exit? It's not money – it's the sense of purpose that being a techie gives them, apparently.

It seems IT managers view money as second into the motivation stakes compared to the feeling they've achieved something – 31 per cent saying cash, 54 per cent saying sense of purpose.

Which is just as well really – another survey revealed this week that average pay is dropping for IT middle managers.

Mary Chapman, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, said the big bosses' lack of people skills wasn't helping matters.

"The pace of change and a desire to reduce costs has had major implications on working patterns in many organisations, but all too often these are not communicated effectively and they take their toll through longer working hours and a drained workforce. Part of the problem lies in senior management believing one thing about morale, when those closer to the coalface have vastly different experiences," she said in a statement.