Excess hours worked cancel out holiday entitlement, new study finds

Of the 1,574 managers surveyed the majority (77%) reportedworking for at least an additional hour each day, adding up to an extra 29 days over the course of a year. 

With average holiday entitlement only 28 days, this extra time cancels out managers’ annual leave.

Worryingly, up to 10% of respondents said they put in more than three extra hours each day, the equivalent of working a 15-month year.

Ann Francke, CEO of CMI, said: “There’s nothing wrong with hard graft, but only if you’re well supported. Accidental managers who lack the professional skills to deal with the causes of burnout are a threat to their health and others’ at work.

“Productivity will also continue to suffer unless employers train their managers to prevent overwork and strike the necessary work/life balance.”

In addition to poor line management, the reportalso found that mobile technology raises stress levels, with 61% stating that mobile technology makes it hard to switch off from work.

Over half of managers said they frequently check their emails outside normal working hours, with 21% checking them ‘all the time’.

A significant minority (39%) said they want their organisation to restrict out-of-hours access to email systems to provide a chance to escape the pressures of work.

Ms Francke added: “Most of us are comfortable with the idea that a modern workplace requires us to occasionally pitch in out of hours.

“But the ‘always on’ culture must be switched off, with line managers encouraged to support an ‘always willing’ mindset that reflects the give and take necessary for a higher quality of working life.”