Average weekly working hours UK 2023: Global comparisons

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, work occupies a significant portion of our time. But have you ever stopped to consider how your working hours stack up against the national average? Or how the UK compares to other countries when it comes to time spent on the job? In this comprehensive analysis, we delve into the intricate details of the average working hours in the UK, offering a revealing look at our work-life balance.

From the average full-time worker clocking in 36.4 hours per week, to the surprising fact that UK workers work some of the longest hours in Europe, we’ll explore the nuances of the UK workweek. We’ll also shed light on the gender disparities in working hours, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the differences across various industries.

So, whether you’re curious about how your working hours compare to the national average, interested in the impact of unpaid overtime, or keen to understand how the UK stacks up against other countries, this article has got you covered. Let’s dive in!

Key UK Working Hour Statistics

The average British worker works 36.4 hours per week, spending 19% of their year at work. This might seem like a lot, but when we compare it to other countries, the picture becomes more nuanced. British workers work some of the longest hours in Europe, 6.1 hours per week longer than the Netherlands, but 3.2 hours less than Portuguese workers.

When compared to the USA, UK staff work an average of 2.4 hours less per week. Men work an average of 3.7 hours per week longer than women. CEOs work an average of 62.5 hours per week, and nurses work an average of 37.5 hours per week.

These statistics provide a snapshot of the working culture in the UK, but they don’t tell the whole story. To get a more comprehensive understanding, we need to delve deeper into the data.

Average Working Hours in the UK

The average full-time worker in the UK works 36.4 hours per week. This figure is based on the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for Q4 2022. If we break this down further, based on a 5-day working week, the average British full-time employee works 7.28 hours per day.

This means that the average Brit spends 19% of their year working, assuming they take the minimum paid holiday allowance of 5.6 weeks. If we factor in the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night and commuting times, this leaves 44% of the year as free time.

This data gives us a broad understanding of the average working hours in the UK, but it doesn’t account for variations across different industries, roles, and demographics.

Unpaid Overtime in the UK

Unpaid overtime is a significant but largely unreported aspect of work in the UK. According to analysis by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) of data from the Labour Force Survey, over 3 million people worked 7.7 hours of unpaid overtime per week in 2020, each losing out on an average of £7,300 per annum.

If the average British worker added this amount of overtime to their normal hours, their average working hours would rise to 44.1 hours per week, an increase of 21%. This highlights the hidden workload that many British workers carry, which is not reflected in the official average working hours.

Work Break Requirements in the UK

To ensure that British workers receive adequate rest during and between working periods, the UK government entitles every worker to three types of breaks: rest breaks, daily rest, and weekly rest.

Workers have the right to one 20-minute uninterrupted rest break during every working day. They also have the right to 11 hours rest between every working shift. For example, if they finish work at 6pm, they should not start work until at least 5am. Workers can choose between the right to an uninterrupted 24-hour period without work every week, or an uninterrupted 48-hour period without work every fortnight.

The Working Times Regulations state that no single work shift should be longer than 13 hours. These regulations are designed to protect the health and wellbeing of workers, but they can be challenging to enforce, especially in industries that require round-the-clock staffing.

Gender Differences in Working Hours

There are significant gender differences in working hours in the UK. According to a report by Towards Data Science, men work more hours than women. They found

that men work an average of 41.0 hours per week, and women work an average of 36.3 hours per week.

This difference of 4.7 hours per week is significant and contributes to the ongoing discussions about gender disparities in the workplace. It’s important to note that these figures represent averages and there will be variations within different industries, roles, and individual circumstances.

The reasons for this gender difference in working hours are complex and multifaceted, including factors such as the gender pay gap, societal expectations around caregiving roles, and part-time work patterns.

Impact of the Pandemic on Working Hours

The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on working hours across the UK. With many people having to work from home, and whole industries shutting down, many people were not able to work at all.

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the average UK weekly working hours dropped to 33.6 hours – a 2.8-hour reduction from the current figure. This decrease in working hours reflects the unprecedented disruption caused by the pandemic, which affected all sectors of the economy.

As the UK recovers from the pandemic, it will be interesting to see how working hours evolve. Will we return to pre-pandemic levels, or will there be a shift towards more flexible and remote working arrangements that could impact average working hours?

Working Hours by Industry

The average working hours vary significantly across different industries. According to the ONS, people in Agriculture, forestry, and fishing work the longest hours in the UK, averaging 40.4 hours per week. On the other hand, those in the Education sector and Accommodation & food services work the shortest hours, averaging around 30% less than the UK average.

These differences reflect the unique demands and working patterns of different industries. For example, roles in agriculture often require long hours during certain seasons, while jobs in education may have shorter working hours but also require additional hours for planning and marking outside of teaching hours.

Working Hours of CEOs and Nurses

CEOs, despite their high salaries, work almost double the UK average, clocking in 62.5 hours per week. This includes 45 hours per week in meetings, 3.9 hours of work at weekends, and 2.4 hours of work on holidays. This highlights the demanding nature of their roles and the long hours required to lead a company.

Nurses, on the other hand, work an average of 37.5 hours per week, which is 1.1 hours longer than the average British worker. This highlights the demanding nature of their roles, especially considering the relatively low average NHS nurse salary. The long hours and high stress of nursing work have been highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to calls for better pay and conditions for nurses.

UK Working Hours Compared to Europe and USA

When compared internationally, British employees work some of the longest hours in Europe. Portuguese workers work an extra 3.2 hours per week than us, but in the Netherlands, the average person only works 30.3 hours per week.

In comparison to the USA, the average American worker clocks in 38.8 hours of work per week, meaning that Brits work 2.4 hours less per week than those in the USA.

These comparisons highlight the cultural differences in work-life balance and labour regulations across different countries. They also raise questions about productivity and wellbeing. For example, are longer working hours necessarily associated with higher productivity, or could they lead to burnout and lower job satisfaction?

Maximum Working Hours in the UK

The UK government’s working time regulations dictate that no employee should ever work more than 48 hours per week, on average over a period of 17 weeks. However, individuals can choose to opt out of the 48-hour work week. Certain jobs and industries, such as military personnel, emergency services, or workplaces where 24-hour staffing is required, are exempt from the 48-hour work week. People under the age of 18 years cannot work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.

These regulations are designed to protect workers’ health and safety by preventing excessive working hours. However, the effectiveness of these regulations depends on enforcement and workers’ awareness of their rights. The issue of unpaid overtime, as discussed earlier, suggests that many workers are effectively working more than the maximum allowed hours.

In conclusion, the average working hours in the UK are influenced by a range of factors, including industry, gender, and individual circumstances. While the average figure provides a useful benchmark, it’s important to look beyond the average to understand the full picture of working life in the UK.

Average Working Hours for Part-Time Staff

Not everyone in the UK works full-time. Part-time workers make up around 35% of Britain’s workforce and they work an average of 16.7 hours per week. This is less than half of the average full-time working hours, reflecting the flexibility that part-time work offers.

Part-time work is common in certain industries, such as retail and hospitality, and among certain demographics, such as students, parents with young children, and older workers. The flexibility of part-time work can help to balance work with other commitments, but it can also lead to lower income and fewer career opportunities.

Average UK Working Hours Over the Past 30 Years

Over the past three decades, the average working hours in the UK have gradually decreased. According to the ONS, from 1992 to 2022, the average working hours have reduced by 1.7 hours, from 38.1 hours to 36.4 hours.

This trend towards shorter working hours reflects changes in work practices and attitudes towards work-life balance. However, the current figure may still be affected by the drop in working hours caused by the pandemic. As the UK recovers from the pandemic, it will be interesting to see whether this trend towards shorter working hours continues.

Differences in Working Hours Across Industries

The average working hours vary significantly across different industries. According to the ONS, people in Agriculture, forestry, and fishing work the longest hours in the UK, averaging 40.4 hours per week. On the other hand, those in the Education sector and Accommodation & food services work the shortest hours, averaging around 30% less than the UK average.

These differences reflect the unique demands and working patterns of different industries. For example, roles in agriculture often require long hours during certain seasons, while jobs in education may have shorter working hours but also require additional hours for planning and marking outside of teaching hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the average working hours per week in the UK?

The average full-time worker in the UK works 36.4 hours per week.

2. How much unpaid overtime do British workers do?

Over 3 million people worked 7.7 hours of unpaid overtime per week in 2020, each losing out on an average of £7,300 per annum.

3. Do men work more hours than women in the UK?

Yes, men work an average of 41.0 hours per week, and women work an average of 36.3 hours per week.

4. How did the Covid-19 pandemic affect working hours in the UK?

During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the average UK weekly working hours dropped to 33.6 hours – a 2.8-hour reduction from the current figure.

5. How do UK working hours compare to Europe and the USA?

British employees work some of the longest hours in Europe. Portuguese workers work an extra 3.2 hours per week than us, but in the Netherlands, the average person only works 30.3 hours per week. Compared to the USA, Brits work 2.4 hours less per week than those in the USA.

 6. How do UK working hours compare to other countries?

British workers work some of the longest hours in Europe, but less than workers in the USA. The average working hours in the Netherlands are the shortest in Europe, while Portuguese workers work the longest hours.

7. How many hours do part-time workers in the UK work?

Part-time workers in the UK work an average of 16.7 hours per week.

8. Which industry works the longest hours in the UK?

People in Agriculture, forestry, and fishing work the longest hours in the UK, averaging 40.4 hours per week.

9. How many hours do CEOs and nurses work?

CEOs work an average of 62.5 hours per week, while nurses work an average of 37.5 hours per week.

10. What is the maximum working hours in the UK?

The UK government’s working time regulations dictate that no employee should ever work more than 48 hours per week, on average over a period of 17 weeks. However, individuals can choose to opt out of the 48-hour work week.

Sources

All of the data from this report was taken from the sources below, which include a mixture of government organisations and well-known publications.

1. Office for National Statistics – Average actual weekly hours of work for full-time workers (seasonally adjusted)
2. CEIC – United Kingdom UK: Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment
3. Office for National Statistics – Average actual weekly hours of work for part-time workers (seasonally adjusted)
4. UK Government – Holiday entitlement
5. People Management – UK employees worked £24bn worth of unpaid overtime last year, research suggests
6. Towards Data Science – Is the Difference in Work Hours the Real Reason for the Gender Wage Gap?
7. The Sydney Morning Herald – Forty-five hours a week in meetings: Who wants to be a CEO?
8. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development – Average usual weekly hours worked on the main job
9. UK Government – Maximum weekly working hours
10. UK Government – Rest Breaks at Work
11. Trades Union Congress – What are the maximum hours I can be expected to work over an average working day?
12. Learn Direct – How many hours do Nurses work?

This comprehensive analysis of the average working hours in the UK provides a detailed understanding of the work culture in the country. It offers insights into the differences in working hours across genders, industries, and countries, and highlights the impact of factors such as unpaid overtime and the Covid-19 pandemic. The information presented here can be instrumental in shaping policies and practices to ensure a balanced work-life culture.