Study reveals Scots staff over-worked

Brits are some of the hardest workers in Europe. According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), they work two and a half weeks more each year than workers in any other country in Europe.

In response, thinkmoney has analysed working patterns around the UK, revealing staff in Scotland and the East of England are most at risk of being overworked.

The UK-based banking services provider’s findings show Scotland and the East of England top the leaderboard for the longest hours worked each year.

Full-time employees in both of these regions clock up an average of 38.6 hours per week, or 287 days per year.

Welsh workers, on the other hand, work 67.6 hours fewer each year than their Scottish counterparts; the equivalent of 10 days.

Scots work an extra 27 days’ overtime Scottish employees work the longest weekly hours in the country, but they also put in an extra 27 days of paid overtime per year. It’s worth noting that the report only considers paid overtime, so the unpaid overtime figures could be much higher.

Surprisingly, London employees work some of the lowest paid overtime levels at 176.8 hours – or just 25 days, per year. Northern Ireland workers, however, work the most paid overtime in the UK, clocking in an extra 33 days.

As mentioned above, however, the TUC estimates that five million workers in the UK have put in more than £32 billion of unpaid overtime in the last year.

So, the overtime figures could be significantly higher than reported.

Work-related stress accounts for half of all working days lost each year

In the previous year, work-related stress and anxiety has accounted for 25.8 working days lost in the UK, suggesting long hours are putting our health at risk.

Kiran Singh, an award-winning life, mindfulness and life purpose coach, reiterates how important it is to put your health first. “The pressure of having to keep everything together can often feel just too much,” she says. “If this feels like you, it’s time to reassess and get your life into perspective.”

Kiran also says there are questions you should ask yourself regularly to ensure you are prioritising your health. For instance – ‘do you take work on holiday with you?’ and ‘are you able to switch off at the weekend?’ If you are struggling with these questions, you need to start prioritising your wellbeing.

Britain’s long hours working culture is not only having a significant effect on our health, but also on businesses too.

Working long hours is affecting productivity

Brits may be clocking in the most hours at work, but we are far from the most productive workers in Europe.

German and Danish employees are said to be 23.5% more productive than Britons, despite spending four hours a week fewer at work.

Likewise, companies in Sweden – including Toyota and Svartedalens elderly care home in Gothenburg – have been rolling out shorter working weeks. The care home, in particular, found staff working fewer hours led to a 10% drop in sick leave.

Burnout is becoming a real concern for UK workers, with it reported to take 63 years for British working patterns to match those elsewhere in Europe.

Workers who feel they are at risk of burnout are being advised to speak to someone who can help.