Overworked and underpaid?

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) which represents nearly seven million workers in the UK has reported that almost five million people in the UK work up to an extra seven hours a week of unpaid overtime, worth about £5000 per year.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: '… Britain's long hours culture is enjoying a renaissance and today's figures suggest many people are not even being paid for putting in these extra hours. People are giving away nearly £5,000 a year in unpaid overtime - that's too much time and money that could be better spent with friends and family."

Why do people work extra (unpaid) hours? Some people feel the best way of getting a promotion is to work longer in the office. Others are worried that if they are not willing to work, they might lose their jobs. Others also work late because their colleagues do, and they don't want to appear lazy or uncommitted.

However, the TUC also reports that more than 4 million people in the UK work more than 48 hours a week on average. The average for full timers in the UK is 43.5 hours, compared to 38.2 in France and 39.9 in Germany; but both these countries are more productive than the UK.

What about you? Are you a clockwatcher, or do you put in extra hours at work?