Working hours on the up again

Construction bosses working over 50 hours per week

May 2004

35% of construction bosses in the UK are working between 50 and 70 hours per week to keep their businesses going – that’s according to research from direct insurer PremierLine.

In a poll of over 1,400 small businesses across the country – PremierLine found that 31% of construction workers notch up almost 60 hours per week, with 3% putting in over 70 hours.

The findings come after the government released its figures showing that total working hours in Britain increased again for the first quarter of this year by 6.5million, with total working hours now standing at a staggering 900 million per week.

Barrie Wells, Chairman at PremierLine, warned, “Small business owners need to be aware of the implications of this sudden trend of long hours. Issues such as health and safety – in particular the hours put in by all staff – are high on the employment agenda.

"Over-working can have a knock on effect and employers need to think long term to prevent issues such as long-term illness or stress."

The survey also found that 22% of respondents working in the construction industry took less than 10 days annual leave, with only 30% taking the average 20 days or more.

When asked what aspect of running their own business caused the most stress, almost a third stated administration with another 19% claiming legislation caused most headaches.

Mr Wells concluded, "These figures demonstrate the pressure on small business owners and their increasing commitment to their businesses. What this adds up to is a very tough lot for the majority of small owner-managed businesses in this country. They are embattled by legislation, they suffer losses through crime and they don’t feel the Government is doing enough to remove red tape."