Work Life Balance

Workers in the UK currently work the longest hours in Europe, take the shortest lunch breaks and enjoy the fewest public holidays. Childcare is expensive and difficult to find, care for older people is of inconsistent quality and financial
support during family-related leave is lower than in some other parts of Europe. The quest for higher productivity and the long hours' culture limit the effects of improved rights and can undermine equal opportunities policies.

The TUC estimates that if all the unpaid overtime worked by the average employee were put together at the start of the year, it would be until mid-February before they started to be paid. This is marked by Work Your Proper Hours Day which takes place on that date around mid-February.


The most recent documents available on this subject are:

A practical reference work in one volume for all union reps

This manual provides practical advice for trade union workplace reps on issues they are likely to encounter in dealing with a range of problems that can arise in the workplace.

16 January 2012
Paid overtime down by a quarter from pre-recession peak

The total amount of paid overtime has declined by a quarter since its pre-recession peak in 2007, according a TUC analysis of official figures published today (Thursday).

22 December 2011
Paid overtime down by a quarter from pre-recession peak

The total amount of paid overtime has declined by a quarter since its pre-recession peak in 2007, according a TUC analysis of official figures published today (Thursday).

22 December 2011
Unpaid overtime gives a £29bn boost to the UK economy

Commenting on the latest figures on average hours worked across the economy, published today (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

8 December 2011
Commute times add up to five extra weeks work a year

Employees spend nearly 200 hours a year travelling to and from work - adding up to around five weeks extra work - according to a TUC analysis of official statistics published today (Monday) to mark the start of Work Wise UK's Commute Smart week (14-1...

14 November 2011
Government risks reversing popular flexible working rights, warns TUC

Weakening the right to request flexible working risks giving employers the green light to abandon family friendly practices, the TUC warns today (Monday) in its submission to the government's modern workplaces consultation.

8 August 2011



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