Workers have right to switch off, says union

Union leaders are calling for a new right to switch off outside working hours after new research suggested employers enjoyed £27 billion of free labour last year because of unpaid overtime.

The TUC said its study indicated that 3.8 million people did unpaid overtime in 2021, putting in an average of 7.6 unpaid hours a week, equivalent to £7,100 a year.

The figures show that Government promises to “build back better” are not being fulfilled when it comes to workers being paid for all the hours they work, said the union organisation.

The TUC published the figures on its annual Work Your Proper Hours Day, when workers are encouraged to finish on time with the support of their employers.

Unpaid overtime was higher than in 2020 following a collapse in working hours during the first year of the pandemic, said the report.

Between 2020 and 2021 the number of workers doing unpaid overtime increased by 427,000, the TUC found.

As in previous years, teachers were high on the list of those doing unpaid work, as well as managers and directors.

People who work from home are more likely to do unpaid overtime, while those who never work from home are more likely to do paid overtime, it was found.

The TUC called on the Government to bring forward the “longpromised” Employment Bill and strengthen protections against overworking and burnout, including a day-one right to flexible working.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Most of us are happy to put in some extra time when it’s needed, but we should get that time back when it’s quieter. Nobody should end up doing work they don’t get paid for.

“So today we’re calling on people to take your full lunch break and go home on time, and we’re calling on managers to encourage their staff to finish on time and to lead by example.

“Britain is now facing both labour shortages and a cost-of-living crisis.

“If the Government does not take action to support workers, they will end up working longer hours for less pay.

“With home-working expected to stay higher after the pandemic, it is important that employers respect rights to clock off and switch off at home.

“Ministers should help by bringing in new rights to flexible working for everyone, including a right to switch off outside working hours.”

Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader and shadow secretary of state for the future of work, said: “In a new digital world our employment rights need to keep up. We know workers need to be able to disconnect at home, that is why it is Labour policy to provide all workers with the right to disconnect outside of working hours.”

FAIR: Frances O’Grady wants workers who do unpaid overtime to get the time back.