27 August 2004

Overtime Report Signals Burden on Workers

A report that a growing number of companies have increased overtime levels has significant implications for employees trying to find a balance between work and life, Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

A survey by recruitment company Hays has found that 52 per cent of New Zealand companies have increased overtime levels in the last 12 months.

“These figures signal that a significant number of New Zealanders are working longer hours,” Carol Beaumont said. “Union members have identified hours of work as being a major barrier to work-life balance.”

Many low-paid employees work as much overtime as they can to help make ends meet, she said.

“The increase in overtime is also a reflection of the labour and skills shortages that is affecting so many parts of the workplace.”

Work-life balance depended on fundamental aspects of decent work being in place – which included decent pay and reasonable working hours, Carol Beaumont said.

“Unions continue to bargain for improvements in collective employment agreements that increase work-life balance, and lobby the Government for law changes that will support workers having a better balance between work and life.”

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

CONTACT NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

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