Brits say no to unpaid slog

16:24 Tue 19 February 2008

Every so often someone comes up with a survery in the UK which says we're working too many hours. Everyone applauds it. Goes to the tearooom for a Hob Nob and a moan. Thinks about emigrating. Then goes back to work.

Britain's shameful work-life imbalance is once again the subject of much furious tutting, as researchers at the Chartered Management Institute claim managers toil for an extra 1 hour 18 mins unpaid time every day. Which amounts to an extra 40 days of unpaid work every year. Which, says the TUC, would mean that if everybody in Britain worked their unpaid overtime from the start of the year...the first paycheck of the year wouldn't arrive till Feb 22nd!

Disgraceful performance UK dwellers. Whatever happened to knocking off at 5 for a swifty or three before home for tea at 6? Don't give into office peer pressure is our advice. Next time you leave work at the right time and some office sniper makes a snide one like 'thanks for dropping in' say 'yeh, nice wasn't it. And I'll be dropping in and out at the same time tomorrow too so put that in your do gooding pipe and smoke it" - before waltzing out the door to the theme tune of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Alternatively you can always take a pinch of wisdom from the TUC and 'take responsiblity for your own working hours'. Starting from Friday, when we've all been urged to down tools and peg it out of the office as soon as the weekend bell tolls.

Which is good enough for us. Bye then. (Who cares it not Friday!)