Nearly half of UK managers work extra day per week in unpaid overtime

The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) said that two thirds of UK managers feel under pressure to work extra hours for their employers.

17:08 09 July 2014

A study conducted by the Institute of Leadership and Management warned that nearly half of UK managers are burnt out because of their overly long work hours.

The study found that 76per cent of the 1,056 people who joined the survey said that they routinely work late in the office or at home while 48per cent regularly work through their lunch breaks. Meanwhile, more than one third put in additional hours during weekends off.

The study reveals that work pressures and easy access to email through smartphone technology leave 90per cent of managers working outside contracted hours.

"When you add up all the skipped lunch breaks, early morning conference calls and after hours emails you see just how widespread the extra hours culture is within UK business," said ILM chief executive Charles Elvin.

"Of course, all organisations face busy periods when employees will feel motivated to work above and beyond their contractual hours.

"But excessive hours are not sustainable - there are only so many times you can burn the midnight oil before your performance, decision making and wellbeing begin to suffer," Elvin added.

Meanwhile, a research body called Work Foundation said that working longer hours can lead to underperformance. "When you work excessive hours this can lead to employee burnout, increased stress, depression and physical illnesses," said Zofia Bajorek from the Work Foundation.