The UK remains consistently near the top of the working hours league and well down the productivity table. Maybe there is a connection?
A recent survey from Morgan McKinley showed that 84% of respondents work beyond their contracted hours. And it's not just the odd extra hour. 27% work between 6 and 9 hours more per week and a further 31% work 10 hours or more over their official working time.
The survey disproves the theory that these are all keen and willing workers putting in the extra time happily. Three quarters of them say they are obligated or very obligated to work the long hours. This reflects corporate cultures that are encouraging these work patterns.
Not surprisingly, 47% say the extra hours have a heavy impact on their work-life balance. Only 18% always take their full allocated lunch break and 34% never take a full break. 76% eat their lunch at their desk and just 6% use the time to take exercise.
But after a long day at the office it doesn't stop. 78% of respondents sometimes or always work from a mobile device after leaving the office at the end of the day. So employers should be benefiting from all the extra effort. However, only a third of those working extra hours feel they are more productive.
Maybe we need to move from presenteeism and low productivity to managing by output and results-based rewards. When asked 'What would make your working day easier?' the top answer (52%) was flexible working. Are leaders listening to this, or are they turning a blind eye to the problem and making it worse by setting a bad example themselves?
