News Article

Excessive Hours in Civil Service


Posted by Carl Gryniewicz | Date Posted 05.09.2007 | Time Posted 12:14:40 | Views: 407

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has published the results of new research which claims that excessive workloads are forcing over half of full-time civil servants to work over and above their contracted hours.

The union says that a total of 1792 civil servants took part in the survey, which was conducted by the Centre for Industrial Relations at Keele University, in conjunction with the PCS.

The PCS says that 45.8% of those surveyed work between 40 and 48 hours and 1 in 20 break the provisions of the working time legislation by working over 49 hours per week.

The report on the survey also claims that workloads are increasing as the Government "ploughs ahead" with 84,000 civil and public service job cuts, so "damaging the delivery of public services".

Other key findings include the following:

Half of all those working additional hours do so in order to keep control of their excessive workloads. This compares to one third in the private sector delivering civil service contracts.

Nearly 40% had attended work when ill, in order to keep up with workloads.

More than half are experiencing difficulties balancing work and family life.

Staff working in the private sector delivering civil service contracts are considerably less likely to have work-life balance policies available in their workplace.

One sixth had cut their holidays short and one third had not been able to take their full holiday allowance.

Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said, "This report clearly illustrates that the Government's drive to slash jobs is leading to increasing workloads and embedding a long hours culture in civil and public services. With fewer people to do the same amount work, staff are under increasing pressure leading to corners being cut, which in turn damages the quality of service delivery."


Published in sections: Health and Safety ::

Does this article apply to you or your workplace? Email or call to learn more, we’re happy to help.