Forties People

People in 40-plus jobs working unpaid overtime have been urged to familiarise themselves with their rights and fight against the unfair demands of their employers.

Data published by the Trades Union Congress has revealed that the number of people working 'extreme' unpaid overtime of more than ten hours per week increased by 14,000 in 2009, reaching a total of nearly 900,000.

Employees in 40-plus jobs at legal firms and in the education sector may be among the worst affected, with teachers and lawyers all clocking up an extra 17 hours of unpaid work per week.

It has led the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) to call for action from anyone who knows that they are working too many hours per week.

"People should fight back against it, people should resist this intensification of work expectations," said the IER's director Carolyn Jones.

And she told staff in 40-plus jobs to be aware of working times regulations, which outline maximum hours and rest periods.

Posted by Mary King