03 Mar 09 Unpaid Overtime On The Increase
Unpaid, Overworked & Tired
Working unpaid overtime in the UK is not a new thing but it has now reached epic proportions with more UK workers working for free than ever before. Working and not being paid is the least of the problem though as the biggest downsides are the effects to ones health and personal life. Long hours can lead to exhaustion, stress and little time to recuperate and take stock. Family life can suffer as time at home is often spent sleeping.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) recognizes this problem and reminds employers that productivity levels decrease substantially when a reasonable number of working hours has been exceeded.
The TUC estimates that 5.24 million people put in extra work (average 7hrs a week) worth £26.9bn in 2008. Brendan Barber TUC general secretary suggests that the increase in unpaid overtime is due to the recession with people working longer hours as they fear losing their job if they do not. Brendan Barber says:
“Inevitably, people will be putting in extra hours if they think it can help protect against redundancy or keep their employer in business.”
The areas most affected by increases in unpaid overtime are London, the East Midlands and eastern England.
Ironically, unpaid overtime has gone down in some sectors as there is not enough work to go around, these areas include teaching, pensions, estate agencies and insurance.
What can you do about unpaid overtime?
If your contract states that you will get paid for overtime then your employer has to stick to that and pay you. However there is no law that states that you are entitled to overtime pay if it is not stipulated in your contract.
What the law does say though is that you are entitled to the minimum wage for each hour that you work, so if your working week (including all your overtime) reduces your hourly rate so it is below the national wage then you have a case to argue with your employer. In addition you do not generally have to work more than 48hrs a week even if you agreed to overtime in excess of this in your contract.
For more help and advice check out these free online resources:
Calculate how much your unpaid overtime is worth with this overtime calculator.
Advice and information on your employment rights.
Government infomration on overtime pay.
You Tube Video of Brendan Barber:
Tags: overtime, overworked, TUC, uk workers, unpaid overtime
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