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Unpaid overtime rises again

More UK workers are putting in unpaid extra hours than ever before as staff battle to keep hold of their jobs and companies look to control costs, according to the TUC.

The union body claims 5.24m people worked unpaid overtime in 2008 - the highest number since records began in 1992 - and equates to £26.9bn worth of labour.

The average amount of unpaid overtime a week is seven hours and six minutes - the same as in 2007 - meaning employees would receive on average an extra £5,139 on their salary were they paid for the work.

“Inevitably people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business,” said Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary.

“But long hours are bad for people’s health, and employers should never forget that each extra hour worked makes people less productive once they are over a sensible working week.

“The recession should instead provide a spur to make workplaces more productive, and for managers to get staff to work together, not compete for who can stay the latest.”

The TUC estimates that if everyone did their unpaid overtime at the start of the year the first day they would be paid for is 27 February, and is running its annual “work your proper hours” day on this date.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .