Smokend Info Blog

It is plain to see that the UK has been hit badly by recession, and the effects are being felt in multiple ways. Along with the obvious fear of losing the job, another prominent impact the economic downturn is having on the employees is that they have to work more without being paid for it.

TUC has released its first official data regarding unpaid overtime since the start of the economic turmoil. The data shows that the industries worst hit are public administration, finance and research and development, where about 33% of the workforce had to put in unpaid overtime in 2008. Areas like agriculture, garages and tool hire too have seen a significant impact, wherein workers are putting in unpaid extra time amounting to anywhere between 5 to 13 extra days in comparison with last year.

The data gathered indicates that the UK has an estimated five million people working about seven hours extra time per week, for which they are not paid. The key reason for the increase in unpaid overtime seems to be the fear that has engulfed both the employers and the employees.

The TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, offering an insight into the issue, says that people are so afraid they may lose their jobs that they are readily working longer hours without much fuss. However, on the flip side, there are people who are working in industries which have seen a total loss in business activity, resulting in employees being idle even during the normal working hours.

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