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Published: 21/09/2009

Event organiser burnout no surprise with 17 hour days

Conference and event organisers work up to 17 hours a day during busy periods and some have worked 72 hours without sleep during events, according to the British Meetings & Events Industry Survey 2009.

On average, the corporate event organisers work longer shifts during busy periods than their counterparts from the association sector but conference organisers from the not-for-profit sector can also work up to 15 hours a day. The survey interviewed 600 people from the association and corporate sectors by telephone and online and was carried out by The Right Solution. For associations, the average number of hours worked per week was 39.3 and for corporates it was 42.7.

Richard Murphy of Yorkshire-based First Event said it was difficult to reconcile legislation on working hours with an industry for which long hours are par for the course.

He said: “It’s almost impossible to implement those restrictions. If you have someone who is on a long haul flight, say to Thailand, do those 11½ hours count as working during the flight? We do find it impossible to implement but we find ways around it and common sense prevails. As a company we reward people who put in the hours.”

Dale Parmenter, md of the drpgroup said flexi-time during downtime was key to keeping working hours manageable - as was recruiting the right staff:

“Each department runs its own flexi-time programme but long hours are part of the industry. In our recruitment process we make sure those who come for a 9-5 job are told they can forget it.

“During down time we allow flexible working to come into play. During a long shift on an event staff can sleep in the afternoon and we also make sure electricians and riggers take proper breaks.

But Parmenter added staff often put in longer hours simply because they enjoyed their jobs: “Some of our graphic designers and project managers, when you ask them to take a break, they will often say “just another half hour.” You have to respect their enthusiasm for their jobs. Some of them see it more as a hobby than a job, it’s more of a lifestyle and many of them socialise within the industry.”