Workers 'put in £31 billion of unpaid overtime' in 2024

03 Mar 2025

UK workers put in £31 billion of unpaid overtime in 2024, according to research carried out by the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The business group found that unpaid overtime is an issue for a significant number of workers, with 3.8 million people undertaking unpaid overtime in 2024.

It revealed that those working in the teaching and healthcare sectors worked the most overtime without getting paid. Men and women are similarly likely to work unpaid overtime, with 13.1% of men and 13.2% of women working without being paid.

Commenting on the matter, Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the TUC, said: 'Most workers don't mind putting in extra hours from time to time, but they should be paid for it.

'My message to workers who are unfairly being forced to put in unpaid hours is that help is on the way.

'The Employment Rights Bill will make it easier for people to come together in a union and challenge unfair practices.'