Research amongst 2,000 businesses reveals many employees are overstretched and underpaid

Ahead of ‘Work Your Proper Hours Day’ on February 26th the Sage UK Omnibus surveyed 2,000 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from Sage’s 790,000 strong UK customer base. It found that over fifty per cent (52%) of businesses questioned said their employees worked overtime, with forty per cent of those businesses not rewarding their staff for working over their contracted hours

The challenging economic climate and significant unemployment figures has meant that there is mounting pressure on employees to work long hours. Competition for positions within firms is fierce and many employed people now feel the need to put in extra time to underline their commitment to the company. While some company’s may argue that this is a positive development for businesses, long hours and extra pressure at work has been cited as leading to employee stress and ill-health.

Brendan Flattery, MD of Sage’s Small Business Division said, “In the current economic climate many employees feel the need to work long hours, but it is important that people continue to strike the right work-life balance. By working smarter and utilising the productivity enhancing software and tools available, firms can really empower their employees. By embracing the appropriate tools, businesses will be able to maintain a more positive and more productive

Work Your Proper Hours Day was created as one day in the year that employees should work their contracted hours and no more. Britain employees are regularly recogonised as working some of the longest hours in Europe. On average employees in Britain work a forty-four hour week compared with forty hours for the rest of Europe.

Sage (UK) Limited is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software solutions and related products and servic

European Trade Union Confederation
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4536891.stm

principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. In the UK, Sage provides software and services to more than 790,000 businesses ranging from start-ups to large companies. This software ranges from accounts and ERP, HR and payroll, forecasting and business intelligence to customer relationship management, e-business and help for start-ups. Services include Excel Support, HR Advice, Health and Safety Advice and training courses.