Work/life balance

At least one in five FDA members is working more than 11 hours in unpaid overtime each week.

A culture of "presenteeism" is endemic in the civil service which does not increase productivity. Rather, it is a barrier for all those seeking promotion to the senior ranks and undermines the quality of life for all of our members (particularly those with caring responsibilities).  Overwork in many areas has led to poor health and suffering families. These are just some of the findings of our annual research on members' work/life balance.

We are pressing the Cabinet Office, departments and ministers to call time on the long-hours culture and foster a climate of smarter and more flexible working. We believe this will lead to higher productivity, a more diverse civil service and better working lives.

Long-hours working: the statistics

More than 1,800 FDA members took part in the union's 2009 working hours survey, run in conjunction with the TUC's Work Your Proper Hours campaign.

The results revealed that:

-   the majority of members work excess hours
-   19% of full-timers work more than 11 hours overtime each week 
-   43% admitted that they were unable to take their full leave entitlement
-   12% of part-timers work at least six hours overtime each week
-   52% feel that their department has not taken sufficient steps to reduce excess hours.

Comments by those surveyed included:

"I think that there's a strong culture of 'extra hours are part of life in the SCS, we all do it, so don't complain about it'. I have worked in several govt depts and it's true of all of them."

"Everyone in my office works the same hours (i.e misses lunch, works at least an hour late most evenings). It is embedded in our culture and would be difficult to change."

"I feel that the flexible working system discriminates against part-time workers."

We are using the information given as a basis to press for the long-hours culture to become a thing of the past and for the Cabinet Office, ministers and departments to offer realistic and more flexible alternatives.