Once again, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) are campaigning against working unpaid overtime, by organising a Work Your Proper Hours Day, which this year falls on Friday, 24 February 2006.
Employees who regularly work unpaid hours, are asked to take tea-breaks away from their workstations, lunch breaks and to finish work on time on Friday.
There are over 5million UK workers who regularly work unpaid overtime, which could lead to ill-health, stress and lower productivity.
The Work Your Proper Hours Day is intended to let workers reflect upon the stresses and strains unpaid overtime can create for themselves, their families and friends and their work output.
TUC official figures show the following:
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Employers are starting to tackle the UK's long hours culture.
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The percentage of people working at least an extra hour a week unpaid has fallen slightly, and is now at its lowest level since 1992 (19.4 per cent).
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There are still 600,000 more people working unpaid overtime than in 1992 this is a half million fall from the first 'Work Your Proper Hours Day' in 2003, when 5,217,000 worked extra hours for free.
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The official figures also show that employees in small workplaces were the least likely to work unpaid overtime.
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Londoners put in the longest hours.
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Those doing unpaid overtime put in an extra 8 hours 12 minutes in a week.
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Second longest hours were in Wales, where workers put in 7 hours 48 minutes.
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Northern Ireland were just behind at 7 hours 36 minutes.
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary said:
"Millions are still putting in up to an extra day a week for free, but there are now some welcome signs that some employers are beginning to realise that endless hours of unpaid overtime are often a sign of an inefficient workplace and not something to celebrate.
"We don't want to turn into a nation of clock watchers. Most people enjoy their jobs, and don't mind putting in extra effort when there's a rush or an emergency, but that easily turns into the long hours culture of extra hours every week.
"But in smart workplaces, people work fewer hours. The run up to "Work Your Proper Hours Day" is a great opportunity for bosses to show staff that they want to start tackling their long hours culture. And on the day itself managers can say thanks for their staff's hard work by taking them out for a coffee or a cocktail."
The TUC have provided a fun on-line quiz which will allow employees to find out whether they be "desk junkies", "stay late sheep", or any of the other five types of "over-worker". Once the long hour problem is diagnosed, the employee will be provided with tailored advice.
The quiz and other information on the Work Your Proper Hours Day can be accessed by clicking the following:
Article by Alexandra Johnston
