UK employees are missing out on overtime pay worth billions, according to a new report.
The report, by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), reveals that UK employees did unpaid overtime pay worth £23 billion during 2004.
An average worker would have received an extra £4,650 for their unpaid hours if paid their normal hourly rate.
In response, the TUC has called 25 February ‘work your proper hours day’ which it believes will show employers the worth of their employees.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: “We’re not saying that we should turn into a nation of clock-watchers. Most people do not mind putting in some extra time when there's a crisis or an unexpected rush.
“But too many workplaces have come to depend on very long hours. They get taken for granted and staff have to do even more if there is an unexpected rush.”
Although many start-up businesses will understand that such practices aren’t always productive long-term, many depend on the leniency and understanding of their employees in order to keep costs down.
On a regional basis, Londoners put in the longest unpaid hours with an extra 7 hours 54 minutes per week.
Londoners were followed by employees in Wales, putting in an extra 7 hours 42 minutes per week.
