The average worker is performing nine or more hours of overtime per week, compared to just three or more hours before the start of the pandemic, with more than half (52%) not getting paid for this extra work, finds a study by law firm Wright Hassall.
Unpaid overtime is having a knock-on effect in terms of workers’ mental health, with as many as 34% saying they feel more anxious, 31% feel more stressed, while a quarter struggles to switch off.
Some 48% of business professionals cite lockdown as the main reason for their extended working day, as 41% say they are working extra hours to help support their company during an extremely challenging time.
Remote working has also had a significant impact, as 34% struggle to log off on time, while 29% say they feel under pressure to perform due to a lack of job security.
The research finds that the situation is having a damaging impact on workers’ loyalty, with almost 28% saying this has negatively impacted their future commitment to the company. One in four (25%) say they want a better work-life balance and the same number say they want to feel supported.
More than 1 in 5 (22%) say they have trouble sleeping, while 17% have lower job satisfaction as a result of longer working days.
In addition, the data revealed that 18% feel concerned that unpaid overtime will become the norm of their business even after lockdown ends.
The research suggests workers are not feeling supported by their employers, as 49% say their employer does not offer any form of mental health support, while of those who do, 23% say the support is inadequate and 19% are unaware how to access it.