27/02/2009 - Call for unpaid overtime change
As five million employees doing more than seven hours overtime continue to be unpaid for their efforts, companies are being reminded of their responsibilities.
According to the TUC, the largest increase in unpaid overtime has been witnessed in the research and development, public administration, local government and finance sectors.
Although the overall figure has not risen the union said about five million people are still doing on average about seven hours six minutes unpaid overtime each week.
Because of the recession agriculture, pensions and insurance businesses have seen a drop in unpaid overtime.
Brendan Barber, general secretary said: "Not all unpaid overtime is useful work helping to overcome the recession."
"Workers in some industries are racking up the hours to complete the job quicker. But elsewhere work is drying up and workers do not have enough work to fill normal hours, let alone overtime."
He added employers should organise work properly to make sure their workforce do not become part of the overtime culture.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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