Image courtesy of Waitrose

We sometimes hear journalists groaning about surveys – yet on the Journalist Enquiry Service we see numerous requests for stats every week. No wonder so many of the releases we distribute on our Press Release Wire contain original research on topics both serious and silly. We’re sharing some of those that caught our eye in February in the hope you’ll find them as interesting as we do.

1) The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has calculated that as many as one million safety concerns may have gone unreported by online daters. Its research in conjunction with Match.com and YouGov showed that 32% have suffered safety concerns while communicating online and 37% when meeting in person. The Trust is offering advice for online daters on safety and reporting, and is pressing the industry to take concerns seriously. Lots more data in the press release: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92675/suzy-lamplugh-trust-calls-upon-dating-industry-to-make-reporting

2) Millennials have it harder than over-55s at work – 71% of UK Millennials said individual workloads had risen in the last year, but only 42% in the oldest age bracket felt this way. The same groups in France and Germany showed less pronounced differences but young French workers are turning to cigarettes to help them cope: 29% of Millennials in France are smoking more this year because of the extra demands at work.  SaaS-based work management company Wrike’s research is here: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92560/older-workers-are-not-only-wiser-they-think-they-re-more

More statistical snippets from the world of work:

3) Zurich Insurance has analysed over 250,000 pension plans and found that women could be an average £47,000 worse off than their equivalent male colleagues by retirement: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92635/-47-000-shortfall-in-employer-pension-contributions-for-women

4) 16% of SMEs are still relying on “the shoebox method” for record keeping, the UK200Group reports: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92636/65-of-sme-businesses-not-ready-for-tax-digitalisation

5) CEOs who are also pilots have 66.7% more patented products or services compared to less sensation-seeking directors – McGill University researched the performance of each group in a 10 year period: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92643/-sensation-seekers-make-better-ceos-research-finds

6) Benefits of flexible working include a 25% increase in attendance at work and an improvement of 30% in employee retention rate. More from workforce management software provider Teleopti: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92551/the-future-of-work-is-here-says-teleopti

Cavemen had it tough, but modern life isn’t easy for any of us

7) Hopefully that flexible working will allow some of us to fit in some healthy living, rather than just saying we do – 36% exaggerate how healthy they are on social media, 19% of us slightly airbrush our lifestyles for our GP, and 15% have lied by saying they’re a non-smoker. The research from KP Nuts also includes a list of 20 fitness fibs (if you really want to cut down on chocolate, alcohol or takeaways do drop them off at the ResponseSource office and we’ll help you be more truthful): http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92684/brits-tell-20-fibs-a-week-about-their-healthy-living-habits-

8) One thing we can’t really bend the truth about – only 10% of the UK population are fit enough to survive the life of a caveman (or presumably cavewoman). Tasks investigated by SportsShoes.com include 30 minutes of deep squatting and jumping the length of your height from a standing position. If you’re feeling up to it, there are more tips and challenges on: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92607/how-does-your-fitness-measure-up-against-a-caveman-s

9) Those caveperson skills might come in handy sooner than you think. Insurance company row.co.uk has interviewed 2000 modern humans and found that 47% of us put nothing aside to protect ourselves and our homes against our biggest emergency concerns. The top three worries are flooding, vermin infestation and utility supply issues. Light a candle and read more at: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92601/uk-s-top-home-emergency-fears-revealed

10) Row.co.uk has looked at other modern concerns too – children’s online safety. Their research says almost a fifth of parents don’t monitor what their children do online, yet the same proportion of children have “received rude or risky messages or even sexually explicit photographs”. More on http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92569/26-of-british-primary-school-children-are-sexting

11) Parents aren’t the only ones ignoring online dangers – software group Advanced found that 26% of businesses  are unprepared for cyber-attacks and 46% admit that data security isn’t the deciding factor in their digital technology choices: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92694/cyber-security-threat-should-fall-to-the-shoulders-of-the

12) And it’s not that businesses don’t have reason for concern – identity services provider Centrify reports that two thirds of organisations have experienced an average of five or more security breaches in the past two years: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92608/centrify-confirms-the-enterprise-security-industry-has-failed-to-stop

Enough doom-mongering – in February, love was in the air. Not sure why.

13) 52% of us think going to the gym with your partner can improve your relationship – and for those still looking, 40% believe that exercising raises your confidence and means it’s easier to meet new people. More from leisure centre company Better: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92583/find-love-in-the-gym-this-valentine-s-day

14) Heartwarming news from matchmaker Berkeley International who analysed over 2,000 articles and found that readers were less absorbed by a celebrity couple’s split than they were in the engagement a year before (around 23% more readers for the original good news story): http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92585/kylie-minogue-media-interest-demonstrates-romantic-streak

15) 42% of the nation normally buy flowers for a loved one on Valentine’s Day (ah – so that was what was going on), but 85% don’t realise that each flower conveys a message. We’re impressed that 4% still managed to guess that the iris tells the recipient: ‘My compliments. I have a message for you.’ More floral morals from Waitrose on: http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92577/do-you-know-the-meaning-of-the-nation-s-favourite

16) Finally, just as well Mother’s Day is looming as mums need a break – 20% of us go to her first for advice, rather than friends (15%) and dads (9%). Compare Cover’s research is here:
http://pressreleases.responsesource.com/news/92550/mum-s-the-word-for-many-brits-when-it-comes

If you’re working on a Mother’s Day story or have a release to put out, this topical press release page could provide some leads and inspiration.