Recession-hit Brit workers quitting the rat race in favour of ‘funemployment’

LONDON - Credit crunch-hit Brit workers are increasingly quitting the rat race, and going for what they call “fun-employment”.

Many workers are choosing to leave stresses and strains of work behind, while others are in search of a better work-life balance.

“The recession is causing many to ask serious questions about their habits and work life to see if it’s really working for them,” Sky News quoted Dominic Harrison, from the Future Foundation, as saying.

He added: “It makes some people want to press the pause button on life.”

Jimmy Wallace, a leisure industry manager, has spent weeks at home with his family, but has now decided to put off getting back into the rat race, and is planning a once in a lifetime trip to America.

“It’s miserable losing your job but I was lucky to get a pay-off from my previous employers. So we’ve decided as a family to make the best of a bad situation and spend as much time together,” said the father of two.

Sue Bateman, who has worked in the car industry for 16 years, has taken voluntary redundancy to pursue a life-long ambition to travel around Asia.

Through company Gap Year For Grown-Ups, Sue’s taking a “Paycation” for nine months to work as a volunteer.

In fact, the desire to leave the stresses and strains of the recession behind is also good news for companies like Danbury Motorcaravans, who are experiencing a boost in sales of their caravans.

The Bristol-based firm can barely import VW campervans fast enough to keep up with demand.

“People of all ages just want to be able to get away from it all at a moment’s notice,” said co-owner Jason Jones.

Sales of retro-style campervans are up 250 percent, which means the recession-weary more than ever appear to be taking off in search of something better. (ANI)