Research from CV-Library, one of the UK’s biggest job sites, reveals 75.2% of office workers in the city are working more hours than they’re contracted to and struggle to make ends meet. Tony McDonough reports

Office workers in Liverpool are missing out on almost £1,600 extra a year in lost wages by working hours of unpaid overtime, a new study reveals.

Research from CV-Library, one of the UK’s biggest job sites, reveals 75.2% of office workers in the city are working more hours than they’re contracted to with 72.2% struggling to make ends meet at the end of each month.

The study surveyed 1,200 white collar workers across the UK, including Liverpool, and found that almost a third (31.1%) work 1-3 hours extra per week, amounting to 96 hours per year.

Based on the average Liverpool salary of £34,491 a year, or £16.58 an hour, it means people in the city are missing out on £1,591.68 unpaid overtime every year. In addition to this, 15.6% work more than 15 hours extra per week, totalling a staggering £11,937.60 unpaid overtime.

No reward

Although Liverpudlians may be putting in extra hours in the hopes of impressing their boss and securing a pay rise, it appears that employers are failing to pick up on their efforts. Nearly three-quarters (71.4%) of the city’s white collar workers believe they’re underpaid with the survey also revealing: 

• 66.7% of professionals in Newcastle go into their overdraft before the end of the month. 
• 27.3% struggle to pay off their credit card each month. 
• 37.7% think that colleagues at a similar level earn more than them. 
• Aside from living costs, Liverpudlians’ top three expenditures are groceries (52.7%), insurance (32.3%) and eating out (29.1%).

Productivity crisis

Lee Biggins, founder and chief executive of CV-Library said: “We’ve certainly built a reputation for ourselves in the UK for working overtime, with full-time employees working two and a half weeks more than the EU average.

“However, Britain is suffering a productivity crisis, and this could be because professionals are overworked and unmotivated. Of course, we all have stressful days which cause us to work longer than we’re contracted to.

“But if you’re continuing to go the extra mile, without your efforts being recognised, then something’s gone wrong. It’s unfair for managers to expect you to give up your valuable time without financial recognition. Know your worth and don’t settle for any less.”