As we enter into a new financial year, a new lifestyle study out today has revealed that an alarming 72% of British workers are giving their bosses an extra 10 hours of free labour a week – in a bid to manage their workload and to keep their line manager happy.
So big is the problem, that one in ten workers are cramming a whole extra week of unpaid work on top of their normal working schedule, just so that they can keep ahead of the game. Whilst a third of Britons are working an additional 16 hours a week more now for free than they did prior to the recession starting.
The study conducted by Travelodge, surveyed 2,000 British workers across the UK in order to investigate what effect the modern working life is having on home life. Key findings revealed the average British worker is giving his employer a bonus of ten hours of free productivity every week which translates into a saving of £6,635 for companies.
Across the working population this equates to a grand total of £142 billion of free productivity for British bosses.
Within the last 12 months, not only have seven out of ten workers given their bosses an extra 10 hours of free labour but 55% of employees have missed a vital family celebration due to a work commitment such as a child’s / partner’s birthday, child’s school play / sports day and a family holiday. One in ten male workers has even missed the birth of their child due to a work commitment.
When it comes to the biggest workaholics across the UK, Londoners take the crown as workers across the capital are giving their bosses a generous contribution of an extra 12 hours of free labour a week. Scousers workers come in second place for giving their bosses a free contribution of 11.5 working hours a week and Brummie workers take third position in the workaholics table for giving their bosses an extra 10 hours of free working time.
The table below details the UK’s biggest workaholics
| City | Average number of extra unpaid hours worked per week | Average amount in overtime given away each year (based on national salary average) |
| London | 12 | £7,962 |
| Liverpool | 11.5 | £7,630 |
| Birmingham | 10 | £6,635 |
| Leicester | 8.9 | £5,905 |
| Scotland | 8.8 | £5,839 |
| Bristol | 8.8 | £5,839 |
| Leeds | 8.2 | £5,441 |
| Newcastle | 8.2 | £5,441 |
| Edinburgh | 7.9 | £5,242 |
| Cardiff | 7.7 | £5,109 |
| Wales | 7.7 | £5,109 |
| Manchester | 7.5 | £4,976 |
| Belfast | 7.1 | £4,711 |
Other key findings revealed that 66% of British workers experience soaring stress levels on a regular basis and 33% of Britons find it difficult to get through their average working week.
The research also revealed that Britain has certainly adopted an all work and no play culture as 46% of workers regularly carry on working after leaving their workplace. In addition the traditional weekend of rest and worship is becoming a myth as a third of Britons surveyed reported that they regularly work most weekends. Interestingly it is more women than men that put in the extra hours over the weekend. Over a third (34%) of women confess to working ‘extra hours’ during the weekend compared to a quarter of men (24%) who admit to logging on when they should be relaxing.
Further key findings revealed that one in four workers spend less than six hours relaxing over the weekend which again highlights, that we have become a nation of all work and no play.
Workaholic Britons were also quizzed to find out what really helps them to switch off from the daily grind of working life and 35% of adults reported just a night away from home is the tonic that they need in order to feel rejuvenated.
For 45% of these workers, spending a romantic night away with a loved one is just what is needed to release the stress of the working week. Two third of respondents reported getting a good night sleep was the boost that they needed.
Corinne Sweet, psychologist said: “This research is certainly a wake-up call for us to switch off our gadgets and get away from the clutter, pressure and stress of working life. Cramming extra work into an already busy working week shows danger signs of us becoming a nation of workaholics, heading for serious psychological and physical ‘burnout’.
“I can see why a night away is a popular choice for many tired workers as a simple change of scenery and being away from routine and responsibility is a great pick me up tonic. Having the chance to relax, sleep and enjoy some quality with a loved one is what we all crave after a hard slog at work. Even just knowing you are going to have a night away can boost your endorphin levels and create a feel good factor.”
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: “This report highlights that workaholic Britons should not just take regular breaks in the workplace but at the weekend too in order to recuperate and recharge.
“In a bid to help workaholic Britons to recharge their batteries, Travelodge has released over 200,000 rooms for £19 across the UK, so that tired workers can get away a good value night away that will not dent their wallet. In addition the hotel chain is also rolling out the Travelodge Dreamer bed across its hotels. The luxury king size bed which is deemed as the “Rolls Royce” of beds, boasts a 952 spring mattress which ensures the weariest of sleepers attains a good quality night’s sleep.”
Paul Gray is an entrepreneur and digital publisher who creates online publications focused on solving problems, delivering news, and providing platforms for informed comment and debate. He is associated with HRZone and has built businesses in the HR and professional publishing sector. His work emphasizes creating industry-specific content platforms.
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