Health and safety experts warn of 'epidemic' of long working hours across UK

Urgent measures are being demanded by health and safety professionals to address what they describe as an "epidemic" of overwork, based on findings from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) revealing that half of all workers are putting in unpaid overtime totalling two hours each week.

Moreover, a poll involving 1,000 employees showed that a majority were turning up for work despite feeling unwell. According to IOSH, while job adverts may boast of benefits like attractive pay rates, career growth opportunities, private healthcare, and gym memberships, several adverse terms might be concealed within the fine print of employment agreements.

Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy at IOSH remarked: "As the world of work transforms, we must keep the safety, health and wellbeing of workers high on everyone's list of priorities, embedded into core business practice and culture if enterprises, economies and societies are to thrive."

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She added, "Many of us are familiar with the term 'small print' when buying goods and services and when signing contracts, highlighting key matters we need to be aware of, and sometimes they may be unfavourable. But how many people actually read and take note of the 'small print' in their employment contracts? ".

She also noted the frequently ignored issues: "Issues can often be hidden, such as a culture of working long hours or the belief you must be available outside your working hours. The term 'never off duty' is often thrown around but for many, it's a reality."

"This cannot continue. Our survey results show there is an epidemic of people working long hours often without pay and with people working while ill or on holiday."

A quarter of those who responded to the survey admitted they regularly worked beyond the legal maximum of 48 hours a week, while nearly half confessed that working more than their contracted hours was part of their organisation's culture.

Half of the respondents revealed they frequently checked work emails and messages outside of their working hours and even responded to work-related messages during their holidays.

The majority of those surveyed are of the opinion that workers should have the right to 'switch off' outside their contracted hours, a new policy that the Labour Government is looking to implement.

Paul Nowak, the TUC's general secretary, commented: "Employers shouldn't expect people to put in free overtime in the name of loyalty to the company, or out of peer pressure."

"Most workers don't mind doing extra hours now and again."

"But they need time to rest and recuperate and spend time with friends and family and no-one should feel they have to work when they are sick."

"This is yet another reminder of why it's crucial that Labour's Plan to Make Work Pay is delivered in full. A day one right to sick pay and a robust right to disconnect to protect private time would drastically improve life for millions of working people up and down the country."