Extract From Happiness Hangs in the Balance Daily Express, 29th March 2007 The 'seven-year itch' experienced by married couples may be well documented, but research suggests that in office environment it is a 'seven month itch' that is likely to put a working relationship under pressure. Office support and secretarial recruitment consultancy Office Angels polled 1,400 employees about past roles and the decisions made about staying with a new job or quitting in the early days. Almost eight out of 10 agreed that the seven-month mark in any new job is a crucial milestone... Life balance is a phrase that is often bandied around, but the research found that around four in 10 workers use the first seven months to test out this concept... Morag Morrison, 32, is head of account and channel management at HR and payroll software and services provider Snowdrop, based in Oxford and Glasgow. She is responsible for the whole client base and gives upgrade and module presentations as well as dealing with customer queries on a daily basis. In her spare time, Ms Morrison indulges in her passion, classical singing, focusing in particular on opera. She has been singing since the age of 10, and has continued to have regular lessons. She said: "My singing has been a huge help to my career. Most importantly, it has helped build my confidence. If I can sing in front of hundreds of people, then I will not get phased during presentations, which I conduct at work. "My hobby has also allowed me to develop personable skills, including team-building and listening, which are important skills for my job." |