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A recent survey by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has uncovered alarming trends in the UK workforce. Half of the workers in the UK are consistently putting in two or more additional unpaid hours each week, with many clocking up an extra hour or more every day. Even more concerning, over half of these workers admit to working despite feeling too ill to do so.
The survey, which involved 1,000 workers across various sectors, comes as IOSH launches a new campaign aimed at highlighting the often-overlooked “small print” in employment contracts. IOSH argues that while job advertisements may entice applicants with attractive perks such as competitive salaries, private healthcare, or gym memberships, hidden clauses and business practices could jeopardise workers' health and safety.
The Reality Behind the ‘Small Print’
IOSH believes that many of the less favourable conditions buried within contracts can pose serious health risks if the work provided is not "good work." This means work that is safe, healthy, sustainable, and tailored to accommodate workers' needs. Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH, emphasised the importance of integrating health, safety, and wellbeing into everyday business practices. “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 enterprise, economies and societies are to thrive,” she said.
With the UK Government preparing to launch its Employment Rights Bill, and ahead of the Labour Party Conference, IOSH is renewing its calls for urgent action, focusing on the hidden dangers of contract terms and working practices.
Key Findings from the IOSH Survey
The survey results paint a worrying picture of the current working environment in the UK:
50% of workers regularly clock in two or more unpaid hours a week, with 41% working an extra hour or more each day.
24% of workers exceed the legal limit of 48 hours per week.
57% have worked despite being too ill to do so in the last 12 months.
44% report that working beyond contracted hours is part of their workplace culture.
52% regularly check work emails outside of working hours.
39% check and respond to work-related messages while on holiday or annual leave.
This "always-on" culture is becoming ingrained in UK workplaces. However, the survey reveals that 90% of respondents believe workers should have the right to disconnect outside their contracted hours. IOSH hopes the upcoming Employment Rights Bill will address this issue, as other European countries have already taken steps to protect workers' "right to disconnect."
Hidden Dangers in the Workplace
Ruth Wilkinson stressed that the hidden clauses in employment contracts often foster a culture of long hours and constant availability. “The term ‘never off duty’ is often thrown around but for many, it’s a reality. This cannot continue,” she warned. She pointed out that working long hours without pay, while ill, or even on holiday is becoming increasingly common.
Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) found that long working hours are responsible for about one-third of the total estimated work-related disease burden. In the UK, the rise in economically inactive workers and long-term sick leave is already a significant concern. IOSH is calling for urgent measures to reverse this trend before it worsens.
A Call for Transparency and Action
IOSH is urging the government to review and update regulatory frameworks concerning occupational health and safety. They believe there must be greater transparency in work contracts, especially regarding the risks posed to workers' wellbeing. The focus, they argue, should not only be on awareness but also on equipping workers with the knowledge and skills they need to protect their health and safety in the modern workplace.
Moreover, IOSH is calling for better resources for the Health and Safety Executive to ensure that preventing harm in the workplace remains a priority. By doing so, the UK can build a more sustainable and healthier workforce for the future.
Conclusion
As working practices evolve, it is crucial that worker health and wellbeing remain at the forefront of employment policy and company culture. IOSH’s findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory action and a shift in workplace culture to prioritise fair, healthy, and sustainable working conditions. It’s time for businesses, policymakers, and workers alike to address this growing epidemic of long working hours and ensure a healthier future for all.
Link to full report and findings here.
"Overworked and Under the Weather" is a blog post that first featured on www.search-recruitment.co.uk. Search² specialise in HSE recruitment, providing health and safety jobs to professionals and specialist health and safety recruitment services to organisations.
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