UK is a "binge" working nation

Recent survey results show that workers in the UK work long hours and very rarely claim for any overtime. According to a recent survey conducted by staff well-being company Water Wellpoint, 72% of workers believe that they stay longer than the basic hours required of them. Of the 152 people questioned at least 84% stated that they never claim for overtime.

The head of external affairs at Water Wellpoint, Rory Murphy, has said that the survey shows “binge” working has been ingrained into modern work culture. In addition to this working late appears to be standard practice, with almost a third of workers staying after hours at least twice a week and 27% working overtime every day.

He went on to say:

“This might be good news for UK plc in these straitened times, but it needs to be tempered with ensuring the on-going health and wellbeing of workers.”

So although this could be seen as good news for many small businesses the survey suggests that as a result of over-time work other issues could arise such as deterioration in health and well-being.

Recently the issue of working late has been pushed back during the recession, however, Union and lobbying groups have insisted that staff well-being should not be ignored. Apart from the duty of care a company has to its employees, businesses should also be concerned about the reduced productivity and drop in morale that is normally associated with working long hours.

04/12/09