The Manpower research of 1,113 staff across the UK found that more than 90 per cent of British workers regularly put more effort into their job than is expected of them, and over two-thirds regularly do unpaid overtime.
Only 10 per cent of those surveyed chose financial reward as the reason they put in extra effort at work, with more than half (54 per cent) of respondents highlighting career progression as the underlying motive behind working extra hard.
Some are less self-seeking – 32 per cent cited their colleagues as the reason they put in additional effort in the workplace. Many work hard in order to gain the respect of colleagues, while others feel a responsibility to not let their colleagues down.
The survey was carried out as part of Manpower’s search for ‘Britain’s Most Valued Employee’.
Charles Ashworth, director at Manpower UK, said: “It is this type of employee – the employee who always goes the extra mile to make everyone’s lives easier; who consistently performs above and beyond the call of duty and who is most valued by colleagues – that Manpower wants to celebrate as the nation’s unsung hero.”
To enter Manpower’s Unsung Heroes competition a line manager or employer must nominate their chosen employee(s) and provide examples of how each individual employee has made a difference to the business.
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The winner will win a seven-night holiday for two to Mexico.
www.manpower.co.uk/unsungheroes