Longer hours not always more productive

24/04/08 09:55

Business productivity is at risk as a result of an increase in presenteeism, where employees work longer hours than necessary, a new report suggests.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) defines presenteeism as people feeling ‘obliged to work longer hours than are necessary simply to impress management’.

According to research from employee wellbeing specialist Right Corecare, 40% of employees frequently stay in the office longer than necessary, with a fifth putting it down to the demands of bosses.

However, the research also found longer workers are not necessarily harder workers. Nearly a quarter of those admitted to using the time to surf the net, and 12% said they got in early or left late even when they had no extra work to do.

Around 15% of respondents said they thought staying late would help their career progression, while 21% thought it would impress fellow colleagues.

Adrienne Heeley, director of work/life services at Right Corecare, said:

“As the economy slows down and employees become concerned about their positions within an organisation, this problem could worsen - with staff seeking to secure their jobs by being first in and last to leave.

“But this ‘jacket-on-the-back-of-the-chair’ approach is counterproductive – it has a detrimental effect on the employee’s well-being, the productivity of the business and the UK’s economy as a whole.”