So, five million sucker Brits work overtime and do not get paid for it eh?
That’s according to data from the National Statistics Labour Force Survey and Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings which revealed that the average amount of unpaid overtime is now seven hours and six minutes a week.
The number of employees working unpaid overtime increased by 103,000 in 2007, bringing the total to nearly five million, according to a new analysis of official statistics by the TUC.
Based on these figures, employees who work unpaid overtime would receive an extra £4,955 a year if they were paid for those extra hours.
The big question is why are we making our bosses richer instead of spending time in the pub, or with our families, on the sports field or at a book club?
And if you are one of those mugs, perhaps you have your reasons…
Is it because your colleagues, or worse, your boss stays late and you feel guilty leaving on time?
Is it because you are made to by higher powers?
Is your workload simply too much?
Perhaps you do it because you love work so much and want to stay away from any conflict at home?
Maybe you have no-one to go home to. Fair enough!
Admittedly, I generally work a few hours overtime each week. But often it’s self inflicted. Either it's because I have dragged my heels in the afternoon, sitting on a story for longer than what was needed. Or it's because I have spent too much time out of the office at interviews.
Sometimes I simply like to spend an extra hour after work, to get ahead so that when I do get home, I can totally relax and not worry about the next day!
So whats your excuse?
Comments (1)
Hi Gareth
I have worked in HR for over 25 years and have found that many part time people also seem to work a lot of unpaid overtime or take work home with them.
A number of these part time people are women who juggle work and home commitments and are made to feel guilty because they are not working full time and therefore not seen as 'committed' employees. Their workload is often unrealistic and in order for them to cope with it they work late or take work home with them, their contribtion is rarely valued by the organisation as they are not recognised fully as employees. Which is a pity because by acknowledging peoples contribtuions to an organisation they will continue to add value to that organisations goals.
regards
Michelle
Posted by Michelle Ladyman | January 9, 2008 8:46 AM
Posted on January 9, 2008 08:46