Unpaid Overtime. Why Working For £0 Extra Is Killing Us
Let’s talk about unpaid overtime. Do you work for free too? I’ve been feeling pretty damned burned out lately. I have no energy, and my lack of motivation means I’m neglecting my health. I’m falling back on processed foods and takeaways and not exercising. I know it’s bad for me, and I need to take action, but I am honestly struggling.
So, why am I burned out? Well, firstly because I am doing unpaid overtime. I work in finance, and there are very tight deadlines for month and year-end. I work as part of a very small team where there is no cover if you’re off work. In June, I caught covid and then later in the month had 3 days holiday booked. It’s taken me until now to catch up.
During July’s month end, I worked an average of an extra hour a day for a week. On my final deadline day, I worked all day, then from 9 pm to past midnight. As a result, my energy levels are at zero.
In addition to my full-time job, I have a couple of writing clients, so I have to work a few evenings a week for them. Last but definitely not least, I write this blog twice a week, although lately, I’ve only had enough energy to post once a week.
That is all more than enough, but to put the cherry on top, I’m living and working with chronic fatigue syndrome too.
So With ALL That, Why Work Extra?
Considering how much work I do, as well as needing to fit in chores, food prep, a little downtime and sleep, why on earth would I do unpaid overtime? Here are my reasons:
- Pride. I don’t want to fail at the tasks assigned to me
- I work for a charity, I don’t want to fail them as they do important work
- I don’t want to let my manager and my team down
- Fear that I’ll get into trouble if I don’t meet my deadlines. I was made redundant in the past and am now terrified of losing my job
I’m Not The Only One
I’m not the only one at my workplace; everyone on my team works extra to get the job done. What’s more, this behaviour is not just limited to my current employers. An analysis by the Trades Union Congress found that in 2019, employees in the UK worked more than 35 billion pounds worth of unpaid overtime. That’s the equivalent of 5 million employees working an average of 7.6 hours per week.
That’s Bad
This isn’t good for many reasons. As employees, we are losing out on money, rest, time with our families and the chance to recharge our batteries. Meanwhile, many companies are reporting record profits this year.
I’m not saying all smaller businesses can afford to pay their employees for the extra time, but the majority can. They are simply taking advantage of the fact that they don’t have to. Why pay us when we do the work anyway? So they can happily pad their bottom lines, and the management can award themselves huge bonuses. In contrast, the rest of us are becoming increasingly burned out and struggling to make ends meet as petrol and energy prices soar.
Stress and overwork lead to:
- Risk of death from ischaemic heart disease
- Risk of death due to stroke
- Increase in mental health problems such as depression and anxiety
- Increased painkiller use
- Higher alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise
- Dehydration
It’s all pretty damning, isn’t it? I also find that when I leave work, I don’t really leave. I’m thinking about what I didn’t get done that day and making a plan for tomorrow. It’s relentless. No wonder overwork accounts for a third of all occupationally related diseases.
What Can We Do?
I’m lucky, I guess, because my current role is only fixed term. When it ends next year, intend to move to a bigger organisation where there is less pressure and. I’m looking for slightly higher staff levels where there is someone who can cover my work when I’m not there. At present, this doesn’t happen, and it adds to my stress. I know my work is piling up and how hard it will be to catch up.
I plan to take a few days holiday in the next few weeks and tell my writing clients that I’ll be unavailable during that time. I’m going to rest and work on a plan to improve my physical and mental health and energy levels.
Long term, however, there nee3ds to be a change of culture in every industry. Overtime should not be expected or demanded, and employees should feel free to say no. Sadly, we’re a long way from there right now, and people will continue to get sick.
Please, share your experiences and solutions in the comments. Do you live in a major unpaid overtime culture? How do you handle it? Or have you found a way to escape, and if so, tell me how? I’d love to hear your input.
