Average unpaid overtime worth 4650 in 2004

UK employees did unpaid overtime worth 23 billion in 2004, according to TUC analysis of official statistics published. On average each employee who did unpaid overtime would have earned 4,650 for their unpaid hours if paid at their normal hourly rate. If they had done all their unpaid overtime at the beginning of the year, they would have worked for free until Friday 25 February.

The TUC has called íWork Your Proper Hours Dayí in 2005 for Friday 25 February. This is the day once a year that the TUC urges employees to only work their contracted hours to remind their bosses how much they depend on the unpaid extra work and loyalty of their staff. Bosses should take their staff out for a lunchtime or after-work meal, coffee or cocktail to say thank you, says the TUC.

Weíre not saying that we should turn into a nation of clock-watchers. Most people do not mind putting in some extra time when thereís a crisis or an unexpected rush. But too many workplaces have come to depend on very long hours. They get taken for granted and staff have to do even more if there is an unexpected rush.

Worst of all is that many long hours workplaces are inefficient and unproductive. People are putting in long hours to make up for poor organisation and planning in the workplace. said TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber.

It also puts employer complaints of the costs of benefits such as pensions or time off for new parents into perspective. Employers have been cutting back on pensions even as their staff put in longer hours.

Londoners put in the longest hours. Those doing unpaid overtime put in an extra 7 hours 54 minutes in a week - almost a full extra eight-hour day. If paid for this they would have earned an extra 7,000 a year.

Londoners were followed by employees in Wales at 7 hours 42 minutes (worth 4,320) and those in the West Midlands at 7 hours 36 minutes (worth 4,410).