Half the UK’s workers regularly put in two or more additional hours without pay every week – many of them an hour or more a day – while more than half admit working while feeling too ill to do so, new survey findings reveal.

IOSH has published the results of its survey of 1,000 workers from a range of sectors and roles as it launches a new campaign to highlight the issue of ‘small print’ in workers’ contracts.

IOSH believes that while job ads often promote attractive perks ranging from “competitive” salaries and good career prospects to private healthcare and gym memberships, there are many unfavourable conditions hidden in the small print of contracts and business rules. It says these may pose risks to people’s health and safety if the work provided is not “good work” – work that is safe, healthy, sustainable and accommodates people’s needs.

As the Government prepares to launch its Employment Rights Bill, IOSH is strengthening its UK General Election manifesto calls for action now.

Says Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH:

“As the world of work transforms, we must keep the safety, health and wellbeing of workers high on everyone’s list of priorities, embedded into core business practice and culture if enterprise, economies and societies are to thrive."

The new IOSH survey, conducted by YouGov, revealed:

• 50% of workers regularly do two or more unpaid hours’ work a week, with 41% regularly working one or more unpaid hours a day.
• 24% regularly work more than 48 hours a week on average (the legal maximum people should work in the UK).
• 57% have worked despite feeling too ill to do so in the past 12 months.
• 44% say working more than your contracted hours is part of the culture in their organisation.
• 52% regularly check work emails and messages outside of working hours.
• 39% check and respond to work-related messages while on holiday/annual leave.

While these results suggest that an “always-on” culture has taken hold of UK workplaces, 90% of those who responded believe workers should have the right to switch off outside their contracted hours. This could boost workers’ health, wellbeing and productivity.

The coming Employment Rights Bill in the UK is expected to address this; however, measures to protect the “right to disconnect” from work (e.g. from work communication devices) outside working hours is already happening in some other European countries.

Hidden issues

Ruth added:

“Many of us are familiar with the term ‘small print’ when buying goods and services and when signing contracts, highlighting key matters we need to be aware of, and sometimes they may be unfavourable. But how many people actually read and take note of the ‘small print’ in their employment contracts?

“Within this ‘small print’, issues can often be hidden, such as a culture of working long hours or the belief you must be available outside your working hours. The term ‘never off duty’ is often thrown around but for many, it’s a reality.

“This cannot continue. Our survey results show there is an epidemic of people working long hours – often without pay – and with people working while ill or on holiday. This is of great concern. In 2021, a World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) global analysis found that working long hours is now known to be responsible for about one-third of the total estimated work-related burden of disease.

“We already know that the UK has economically inactive workers and workers on long-term sick leave. If we stand by and ignore this, then it could get worse. That is why we’re calling for action, to ensure there is greater awareness and transparency and for more focus to be put on looking after people’s health, safety and wellbeing at work.”

As well as greater awareness and transparency on where and how harm can occur and how the risks are being mitigated and addressed in work contracts, IOSH is calling on the Government to review and, where necessary, update regulatory frameworks relating to occupational health and safety, taking into account new ways of working.

It also wants to ensure that workers are equipped with relevant health and safety knowledge and skills to ensure the UK has a workforce that is sustainable for the future and to make sure there are enough resources, including for the Health and Safety Executive, to provide a focus on preventing harm.