Brits demand overtime pay and a right to disconnect in 2025 – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

A third of British workers say they want automatic overtime pay written into law when working late as the big return to work starts after the Festive shutdown.

Just as many demand protection from bosses contacting them out of hours, a survey by flexible working experts Office Freedom has found.

The new Labour government have promised better working conditions after sweeping to power, but as millions return to their desks for the first time this year, many still think they should be getting rewarded automatically for doing extra hours than they are contracted to.

The survey found 31% of participants believe it should be law for companies to pay them overtime when they are working late automatically.

Three out of ten also said they should have the legal right to switch off outside of work and not be expected to be contacted by employers.

The findings come at a time when workers across the UK are finding it tough to cope with increasing inflation which continues to stay higher than targets.

Office Freedom CEO and founder Richard Smith said: “There has been a growing trend for workers to put in extra hours to get projects finished, which are not rewarded with any overtime pay.

“With tech now also meaning work apps are on people’s mobile phones, it is also harder to turn off out of hours. Clearly, we are seeing some people reach the point where enough is enough.”