The work-life balance of 40% of executives has improved, a new survey claims.

The survey, conducted by the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC), shows that the number of employers offering work-life balance programmes has increased from 8% in 2006 to 25% this year.

Just over half (54%) of executives had seen their working hours increase, down from 59% in 2006. Meanwhile, 39% had to work long hours due to a heavy workload, compared with 46% two years ago and 66% would not consider working fewer hours if it meant a proportionate decrease in earnings, up from 62% in 2006.

Peter Felix, president of the AESC, said: “In the last two years, employers seem to have better grasped the delicate act of helping their employees to balance personal life and work. This issue has become a genuine concern among senior executives and therefore needs to be addressed within corporate culture. The latest survey results suggest that the work-life gap is narrowing as companies begin to see the benefits of a healthy work-life balance.”