TUC report misses the point on overtime

TUC REPORT MISSES THE POINT ON OVERTIME.

One of the world's leading human resources and management consultants says the TUC is missing the point of workers putting in unpaid overtime.

Whether businesses recognise it or not, whether it's conscious or subconscious, unpaid overtime is a sign that the UK's workforce is banding together to do their bit to help haul us out of economic nosedive - and in many but admittedly not all cases they're working harder and longer because they enjoy it, said Bridget Biggar, Managing Director of Management Intelligence Consulting.

While Brendan Barber is to an extent correct in saying that people working extra hours can make them unproductive, there is also a far more positive side to the story.

Many employees work longer hours because they are playing to their strengths in a job which they enjoy, which is highly motivating and personally rewarding. Engaged employees offer discretionary time without it being a quid pro quo because they feel greater loyalty to the company and ownership of their responsibilities to deliver.

The work that many organisations throughout the UK has been doing on increasing job satisfaction and giving people 'purposeful work' will give them economic advantage during this recession as people will give willingly of their time and energies to ensure their company continues to survive, if not prosper.

It is also a fact that there is still an unhealthy long hours culture in some organisations and industries, but this has become practically genetic. It is certainly not going to change overnight, if at all, ever. But there is advantage in that: the UK working population can be massively productive.

Some cynical commentators have decried the importance of activities like team building and personal development plans - the staple of HR and training departments - but in these times, people feeling a sense of belonging, responsibility to and from colleagues and having a greater opportunity to use their key strengths and skills will stand organisations in good stead.

If somebody is enjoying their role, are stimulated and energised by the stretch of the challenge that uses their personal skills and strengths, they will work longer hours without even realising -and certainly not begrudge it.

Organisations should pay more attention to this whole area - jobs can be redesigned to fit skills and strengths. For example, why have your sales people do five hours admin a week when they were hired to sell. They hate doing it but the company probably has an administrator who would love to get more involved with the sharp end of the business by doing their paperwork.

Employee engagement has been flavour of the month in conference circles for the last 18 months - this latest report points towards one of the reasons why.

Management Intelligence helps maximise talent, productivity and business success, by enhancing the performance delivery of individuals, teams and organisations, driving improved profitability through better business processes and developing employee engagement.

It has offices in London and the Middle East, and is part of All About Brands plc (AAB plc), the brands and marketing services group chaired by Allan Biggar, former Global CEO of Burson-Marsteller Corporate and Financial.