Over half (52%) of Brits work overtime for more than two days per week, with a quarter of these workers not receiving any additional pay for their efforts, the research by Moneypenny found.

Accountancy was ranked third highest in terms of extra hours worked at 11.7 hours a month, only beaten by the law enforcement and security, and HR sectors.

Working overtime, whether driven by job demands or economic factors, also had a significant impact on lives outside of the workplace.

More than a quarter (26%) of respondents reported that working overtime had a negative impact on their physical health, while 23% cited adverse effects on their mental health. Additionally, more than one in six workers stated that overtime had caused relationship issues, with one in 12 even admitting that it had led to a breakup.

Fiona Armstrong, chief people officer for Moneypenny emphasised the significance of caring for employees and effectively managing overtime.

‘Caring for your employees and managing overtime is a critical practice for any business leader. In a world where performance and productivity often dominate the conversation, remember that a well-rested, engaged, and content workforce is the true driving force behind success,’ Armstrong said.

‘At Moneypenny we prioritise our team’s well-being, making sure we look after everyone, and we know that it leads to their commitment and dedication to our mission.

‘By taking care of your employees, you, in turn, take care of your business, so you should treat your team as your greatest asset.’

Moneypenny, the telephone answering service, conducted a survey of over 1,000 UK workers from across different industries to shed light on the professions where overtime was most prevalent.