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CWU says: ‘Work properly - work safely’

22nd February 2012

With record unemployment figures in the spotlight, the TUC's timely campaign urging workers to 'work your proper hours' will take place this year on Friday 24^th February. The day will highlight the £29.2 billion of unpaid extra hours UK workers freely contributed last year alone which equates to a million extra full-time jobs.

Supporting the initiative, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, said: "At a time when unemployment is on the rise and cuts dominate the agenda it is obvious that workers fear losing their jobs and work longer hours in the hope of improving job security. This is of little benefit to employees and has a knock-on effect on workplace productivity.

"Employers should do their bit to quell this fear by encouraging a healthy work/life balance and will reap the rewards of a motivated and committed workforce. We're encouraging all CWU members to take part in Work Your Proper Hours Day."

Although not a direct contributor to the consistently sharp rise in unemployment over recent years, long hours do curb job creation and burden workers with unnecessary stress and ill health.

The TUC's Brendan Barber agrees: "The heroic amount of extra unpaid hours put in by millions of workers make a vital - but often unsung - contribution to the UK economy," he said.

"But while many of the extra unpaid hours worked could easily be reduced by improving work practices, a small number of employers are exploiting staff by regularly forcing them to do excessive amounts of extra work for no extra pay. This attitude is not only bad for workers' health, it's bad for the economy too as it reduces productivity and holds back job creation."

Work Your Proper Hours Day encourages employees to make the most of their own time by starting and finishing work on time and taking a proper lunchbreak. Employers are also urged to take part by recognising the unpaid time and effort their staff have contributed not only to their work but to the economy as well.

Coinciding with Work Your Proper Hours Day is the relaunch of CWU's own campaign to work safely. Discouraging Royal Mail delivery workers from going to wo rk early and using privately owned vehicles for delivery, CWU national officer for delivery workers, Bob Gibson, said: "The Work Safely/Do The Job Properly campaign is not just about securing the safety of workers and those around them but also about making sure that when they are on delivery, they have the right tools for the job and enough time to do it." Check out the latest poster on how you can do the job safely in your delivery office.

Publicise Work Your Proper Hours day by putting up posters around your workplace and handing out leaflets. For more information visit Work Your Proper Hours Day.