A recent survey highlights the growing prevalence of overtime in the UK workforce, with alarming insights into its impacts.
- 84% of British employees reportedly feel compelled to work beyond their contracted hours, according to a new study.
- On average, British workers contribute an additional 23 hours of overtime each month.
- Certain sectors, notably Law Enforcement and Security, are particularly affected, with employees clocking up to 35 hours overtime monthly.
- The repercussions of such extended work hours include significant impacts on physical and mental health, as well as personal relationships.
A comprehensive survey conducted by Moneypenny involving 1,000 UK employees reveals that a substantial 84% of participants experience pressure to work overtime. This phenomenon is largely driven by the expectation to meet job demands, leading workers to regularly exceed their contracted hours. The average British worker contributes an extra 23 hours of labour each month, reflecting a notable burden on the workforce.
In examining the specific industries most impacted by excessive overtime, the survey identifies Law Enforcement and Security as the sector with the highest overtime levels. Employees in these fields are reported to work an additional 35.2 hours each month, equating to nearly an entire extra work week. Furthermore, these workers are putting in 12.6 days of overtime in a typical month, significantly exceeding their average contracted hours.
Other sectors greatly affected include Business, Consulting and Management, where employees on average work an extra 32.24 hours each month. Similarly, the Information Technology and Energy and Utilities sectors report additional overtime hours of approximately 31 per month. Meanwhile, professionals in Media and Internet contribute about 29 extra hours monthly, revealing a widespread trend across various industries.
The impact of such extensive overtime is substantial, with over a quarter of surveyed workers reporting negative effects on their physical health. Approximately 26% stated that prolonged hours detrimentally affect their physical well-being, while almost 23% noted adverse impacts on their mental health. Personal relationships are also compromised, with more than one in six employees admitting overtime has caused significant issues, including relationship breakdowns.
Fiona Armstrong, Chief People Officer at Moneypenny, stresses the importance of employee care and effective overtime management. She notes that while performance and productivity are often prioritised, the well-being of employees is crucial for long-term success. Armstrong advocates for treating the workforce as a paramount asset, ensuring they remain engaged and content as a strategy for organisational success.
The findings underscore the critical need for a balanced approach to managing workloads to ensure the well-being of the workforce.
