British becoming a nation of workaholics

A survey of 8,000 workers has found that Britain is fast becoming a nation of workaholics who actually enjoy working long hours.

Research by the Institute of Personnel and Development found that more than one in 10 people worked longer than the European Working Time Directive maximum of 48 hours.

But it's often not a result of demanding bosses or stressful working conditions - one third of respondents said they enjoyed their work, and that their over-60-hour working weeks were done purely because they enjoyed doing the job.

Managers and professionals were most likely to put in extra hours, with those that work extra time rarely being paid overtime for their endeavours, and also failing to take their full holiday entitlement each year.

However, despite the voluntary and enjoyable aspects many found in their long working hours, the minus side saw 73% of those surveyed admitting to having made mistakes at work due to tiredness, with nearly half expressing regrets about the effect it has on their family lives.

The report's authors suggest that the extra time worked is often not particularly useful, with tired workers often making more mistakes and working slower during the day as they know they will make up the work later.

Smarter methods of working are needed, rather than simply longer working days.

Gary Cutlack