Seven out of 10 professionals working unpaid overtime, says survey
Seven out of 10 professional employees questioned in a recent survey said they are working longer than they are contracted to, with most feeling they have no choice.
A new survey by Morgan McKinley on working hours has found that three-quarters of those polled think it is affecting their work-life balance.
However, while some employees feel tied to their desk, about half of those surveyed say they do not check work-related emails after leaving the office.
Around 200 people nationwide, who work in areas including accounting and finance, tech and engineering, were quizzed for the survey during September.
The survey also showed how the Irish work landscape is evolving with over one-third of workplaces offering ‘working from home’ as an option for employees.
“The days of turning up in the office at 9am and walking out the door at 5pm are long gone and the changed work environment is reflected not only in the hours professional are putting in but also in the working options provided by employers,” Morgan McKinley Ireland chief operations officer, Karen O’Flaherty.
“As the Morgan McKinley Survey shows, over one-third of employers (36%) offer ‘working from home’ as an option while a huge number – 44% - offer flexible starting and finish times.
“For professional employees, 70% work longer than their contracted hours. Half of these work up to five hours more a week (or one hour a day) but the rest work at least an hour a day extra every single day.
“One in six of all professionals work at least 10 hours over their contracted hours a week. Over the course of a 48-week working year that means that these employees are working an extra three months more a year than they are contracted to.
“Many employees feel they don’t have a choice in the matter with 63% saying they are obligated to work extra. Employers looking to retain and attract talent need to mindful of this, especially since three-quarters of professionals saying their work-life balance is affected by working extra.
“However, it can be said that Irish people have learnt how to ‘work hard and switch off’.
“Three-fifths are more productive when they work past their contracted hours and almost half (44%) of professional workers do not use their mobile devices for work after leaving the office.”
