Scrooge employers hastening burn-out Britain, union claims says

The long-hours culture in Britain has intensified, with the number of men working more than 49 hours a week breaking the three million mark, a report shows. Almost one in four men work longer than the 48 hours stipulated in a European Union directive, GMB union researchers found.

The longest hours were being worked in the City of London and Kensington and Chelsea, and the regions where people worked the longest hours included the South-east and eastern England.

Kevin Curran, the GMB general secretary, said: "Burn-out Britain is becoming a reality for more people as Scrooge employers force their workers to leave precious family celebrations to go to work. You simply can't be at your best if you are continually working more than 48 hours a week even during holiday time. This kind of workhouse ethic will not increase productivity; in fact, it will leave their workforce resentful and burnt out."

The UK is the only country in the EU where workers can opt out of the working time directive, although this is being reviewed. The Government says a million people would lose paid overtime if they had to stop working extra hours.