British workers giving their all

Date: Wednesday 3 August 2005

The 'long hours culture' of British office workers shows no sign of letting up according to a global workplace study released today. Research from Esselte, the UK's leading office supplier, reveals that more than a quarter (27%) of Brits are working longer than 50 hours a week.

Average number of hours worked in a week	Percentage of UK workforce
50-59	17%
60-69	6%
70 or more	4%

Whilst putting in some of the longest office hours anywhere in Europe, many British workers are also taking work home in a bid to further their careers. More than a third (38%) of people admit to doing so - the second highest number in Europe after the Germans (39%). Taking work home is most common in Australia however, with 1 in 2 battling their workload once they get through the door.

The number of people working longer than the 48 hour week stipulated by the EU's Working Time Directive is roughly matched by those who believe that time is the biggest waste in their offices (29%). When added to the 10% of workers who believe resources are not being used effectively, a picture starts to emerge of some employees having to 'carry' their colleagues.

Increased workloads are impacting on managers' authority as 8% of British office workers think their boss is paid too much for doing too little. 64% of Brits believe they work harder than their superiors - the highest number of anywhere in the world - compared with 61% of French office workers and 58% in the US.

Mike Patterson, Esselte UK Marketing Director, explains: “Our research reveals the UK to be an extremely industrious nation. Staying late to get things done is a fact of life in the modern workplace. By also taking work home though, we run the risk of upsetting a healthy work-life balance. We're already working hard and now need to focus on working 'smarter' by improving levels of organisation which can help cut corners and save time.”

For further information please contact:
Marie-Clare O'Sullivan at Lexis Public Relations
Tel: 020 7908 6460 / Email: mcosullivan@lexispr.co.uk

Chris Lauwerys at Lexis Public Relations
Tel: 0207 908 6465 / Email:clauwerys@lexispr.co.uk

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