Unpaid overtime remains a pervasive issue in the UK, with workers collectively contributing billions of pounds' worth of free labour, according to a recent analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). Released on the occasion of the TUC's 20th annual Work Your Proper Hours Day on February 23rd, the findings shed light on the extent of unpaid work across various sectors and regions.
The TUC's analysis unveils staggering figures: UK employers benefited from £26 billion of unpaid labour in the past year alone, with millions of workers dedicating significant hours beyond their contracted time without compensation. In 2023, an estimated 3.8 million individuals engaged in unpaid overtime - averaging 7.2 additional hours of work per week. For these workers, this translates to an average loss of £7,200 annually in unpaid wages - a substantial financial burden borne by employees across the country.
The report highlights the prevalence of unpaid overtime across different occupations, with teachers emerging as one of the most affected groups. Notably, 40% of teachers reported doing unpaid overtime, contributing an average of 4.4 additional hours per week. This underscores the challenges faced by educators and the strain placed on the education system, which relies on their unpaid efforts to meet demands.
Daniel Kebede - General Secretary of the National Education Union - said:
“No teacher wants to be topping the charts for unpaid overtime, but this, sadly, is the point the profession has now reached. The Government is currently benefiting from 5.5 million unpaid hours from teaching professionals alone.”
Additionally, the analysis exposes a concerning trend in the management of senior staff responsibilities. Chief executives, managers and directors feature prominently among those engaging in unpaid overtime, indicating issues in workload management and employer-employee relations. Despite their elevated roles, these professionals often find themselves compelled to work beyond contractual hours without adequate compensation or support.
The disparity between the public and private sectors further underscores the inequities in unpaid labour practices. Public sector workers, comprising one in six employees, contributed significantly to unpaid overtime, amounting to £11 billion in lost wages. This disparity in overtime culture reflects broader challenges within the public sector, where employees frequently exceed their contracted hours to meet service demands, often at personal expense.
Regional disparities also come to the forefront, with London recording the highest proportion of workers engaging in unpaid overtime at 18.8%, compared to the national average of 13.2%.
The implications of unpaid overtime extend far beyond monetary losses, encompassing adverse effects on employee well-being, productivity and work-life balance. The TUC's Work Your Proper Hours Day serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding workers' rights, promoting healthy work practices, and fostering supportive workplace environments.
