public sector - Blogs - DPG Community2024-03-29T07:02:51Zhttps://community.dpgplc.co.uk/blog/feed/tag/public+sectorCounting the toll of discretionary efforthttps://community.dpgplc.co.uk/blog/counting-the-toll-of-discretionary-effort2018-02-28T15:48:09.000Z2018-02-28T15:48:09.000ZGary Norrishttps://community.dpgplc.co.uk/members/GaryNorris<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2217602?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>Discretionary effort. For some of us that's the ultimate measure of employee engagement (or is it?). If someone really loves their job they'll work harder, smarter and longer - everybody wins, right?</p>
<p>Not according to a recent study by the TUC which "accuses employers of an "over-reliance" on the generosity of their workers."</p>
<p>The article on Sky News sums up the situation quite succinctly, so that's the one I'll share: <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/workers-lost-31bn-in-free-overtime-during-2017-tuc-11262346" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here to read it.</a></p>
<p>The article has some great snippets, including:</p>
<p><em>- It said public sector employees accounted for 25% of total workers but produced almost 40% of all unpaid overtime.</em></p>
<p><em>- While chief executives were found to be the biggest losers, the report found teachers and other learning professionals were the next group to do the most outside their usual hours.</em></p>
<p><em>- The TUC's assistant General secretary said, "But expecting employees to work above and beyond the call of duty, day in day out, is simply not on"</em></p>
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<p>Do you think discretionary effort is a good measure of engagement? Is that ethical?</p>
<p>Do you work above and beyond on purpose or does it happen by accident that you end up working longer than you are contracted to?</p>
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<p>There is a little bit more to read on this page too, including a tool to calculate how much you would earn if you got paid for any above and beyond hours: <a href="https://worksmart.org.uk/work-your-proper-hours-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://worksmart.org.uk/work-your-proper-hours-day</a></p>
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<p>I can't find the actual report though. If anyone can, please share.</p>
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