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UK workers unpaid overtime overview:
- Who: Human resources software provider Ciphr surveyed 1,000 UK workers and found nearly half of them worked overtime without pay.
- Why: Workers reported a variety of reasons for their unpaid overtime work, including staying on top of their work, wrapping up something they were working on, or having an unmanageable workload.
- Where: The survey was conducted in the UK.
Nearly half of UK workers have worked overtime without compensation, according to a survey by human resources software provider Ciphr.
Ciphr surveyed 1,000 UK workers, asking them specifically how much unpaid overtime they usually put in for their employer. Men reported working unpaid overtime for an average of about 3.3 extra hours each work, and women reported working 2.9 extra unpaid hours each week.
Ciphr notes that these hours of unpaid overtime add up to nearly 18 additional days of work that a full-time employee works for free in a year.
While 49% of respondents said they worked unpaid overtime, only 23% said they were paid for overtime.
Remote workers said they worked the most unpaid overtime, averaging about 3.5 hours each week.
Unpaid overtime work spans many industries in UK, survey found
Employees in a variety of industries reported that they work unpaid overtime, including legal services, construction, education, IT & software, marketing/advertising/sales, finance/insurance, and manufacturing.
The percentage of employees who reported receiving overtime pay in each of these industries is less than 20%.
Fifty-two percent of respondents in the hospitality & food service industry say they are paid for their overtime hours.
Legal services and education workers reported working the most unpaid overtime hours, averaging about four hours each week.
Some employees skip their lunch breaks and end up working unpaid overtime. About 27% of female respondents said they do not take their full lunch break most days of the week. In contrast, 19% of male respondents said they do not take their full lunch break.
Respondents reported several reasons that they regularly put in unpaid overtime. Many say they want to stay on top of their work or finish what they have been working on. Nearly one-quarter of respondents say they put in unpaid overtime because their workload is unmanageable.
Ciphr notes that unpaid overtime is equivalent to lost wages. For example, a full-time worker who earns £33,000 per year could lose out on more than £2,000 per year if they work just three unpaid hours a week.
Last year, thousands of UK workers were part of a six-month pilot program in which they worked a four-day workweek. They reportedly continued to earn the same salary but worked reduced hours. Researchers will evaluate their productivity and quality of life and said they would announce the results in 2023.
Are you a UK worker who regularly puts in unpaid overtime? Tell us about your experience in the comments!
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