LETTER : Extra work time remains hidden
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr John Monks
Sir: Paul Wallace's article ("Bigger rises for better-off widen the earnings gap," 29 September) reports from the New Earnings Survey on hours worked by non-manual workers, including those in professional and managerial jobs. The NES is based on employers' reports of contracted hours, including paid overtime. This captures most of the excessive hours worked by blue- collar workers. However the survey severely underestimates the hours many non-manual workers work.
This is because many non-manuals - especially those in managerial and professional jobs - do not get paid overtime but find it impossible to get the job done within their contracted hours.
The Central Statistical Office's Labour Force Survey, which asks individuals how many hours they work, found in spring 1994 that 34 per cent of full- time non-manual employees reported working 45 hours or more a week. The April 1994 New Earnings Survey showed that employers reported only 5 per cent worked these very long hours. The difference is accounted for by people working beyond their contracted hours without extra pay.
These trends can only widen further the gap between the employment conditions of most UK workers and workers in the rest of Europe.
Yours sincerely,
John Monks
General Secretary, TUC
London, WC1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments