Brits work longest hours in Europe

UK staff work the longest hours in Europe, with some employees putting in more than 70 hours a week, according to research.

One in four people still work 50 hours and nearly 20% put in up to 59 hours, compared with 15% in Germany and France.

The survey of 2,600 employees in the UK, the US, Australia, Germany and France, by office supply firm Esselte, shows that more than one third of UK workers also take work home.

Mike Patterson, UK marketing director at Esselte, said: “Our research reveals the UK to be an extremely industrious nation. Staying late to get things done is a fact of life. However, we run the risk of upsetting a healthy work-life balance.

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“We’re already working hard and now need to work smarter.”

The TUC said the Esselte survey showed why the UK’s opt-out from the EU limit of 48 hours a week should be scrapped.