24/11/2023
New research reveals that 84% of Brits feel pressure to work overtime in their job role, with the pressure to fulfill job expectations being the top reason for those going over and above working hours.
Moneypenny conducted a survey of UK workers from across different industries to shed light on the professions where overtime is most prevalent. The research also discovered the impact of extended working hours on mental and physical health, as well as personal relationships.
Worst Industries for overtime
The survey found that 52% of Brits work overtime for more than two days per week, with a quarter of these workers not receiving any additional pay for their efforts. However, certain industries stand out as having a higher propensity for employees to exceed their contracted hours.
When considering the average number of overtime days in a month, the top three industries were Law Enforcement and Security (12.6 days), Recruitment & HR (12.2 days), and Accountancy, Banking, and Finance (11.7 days).
| Industry | Average days worked overtime in a month |
| Law enforcement and security | 12.6 |
| Recruitment and HR | 12.2 |
| Accountancy, banking and finance | 11.7 |
| Law | 11.4 |
| Creative arts and design | 11.2 |
The survey also found that social care, education and science and pharmaceuticals are the industries in which workers feel the most pressure to work overtime.
| Industry | % of workers who feel pressured to work overtime to meet job expectation |
| Social care | 57% |
| Teacher training and education | 50% |
| Science and pharmaceuticals | 50% |
| Law | 50% |
| Accountancy banking and finance | 50% |
Impact of overtime on staff
The study shows that working overtime, whether driven by job demands or economic factors, has a significant impact on lives outside of the workplace.
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents reported that working overtime had a negative impact on their physical health, while 23% cited adverse effects on their mental health. Additionally, more than one in six workers stated that overtime had caused relationship issues, with one in 12 even admitting that it had led to a breakup.
| Has working overtime ever impacted any of the following | |
| It’s impacted my physical health | 26.1% |
| It’s impacted my mental health | 22.8% |
| It’s caused relationship problems with my other half (e.g. arguments) | 15.7% |
| It’s impacted my social life heavily | 15.4% |
| It’s impacted me being able to spend quality time with my family (e.g. children’s school events, birthdays etc.) | 12.9% |
In response to the findings, Fiona Armstrong, Chief People Officer for Moneypenny emphasised the significance of caring for employees and effectively managing overtime
“Caring for your employees and managing overtime is a critical practice for any business leader. In a world where performance and productivity often dominate the conversation, remember that a well-rested, engaged, and content workforce is the true driving force behind success.
“At Moneypenny we prioritise our team’s well-being, making sure we look after everyone, and we know that it leads to their commitment and dedication to our mission. By taking care of your employees, you, in turn, take care of your business, so you should treat your team as your greatest asset.”
Original Article: HRnews
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