Younger workers in the UK are more likely to work longer hours than their older peers, according to a new survey.
Research by OfficeGenie.co.uk found professionals and graduates aged 16-24 work an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes overtime every week – two more hours than staff over the age of 55.
Employees in their thirties and forties work an additional five and a half hours per week, while the over 55s will put in at least 4 hours and 55 minutes.
The results of the survey of 1,000 office workers also found that almost 11% of 16-24 age group do more than 20 hours overtime every week – around twice as many as other age groups.
Location matters
Interestingly, the amount of additional hours these graduates put into their careers differs from location to location.
Brighton seems to have the hardest working 16-24 year olds with employees claiming they put an additional eight hours and 43 minutes into overtime every week.
Interestingly, London wasn’t in the top five cities for hardest workers – tallying up just 5 hours and 16 minutes.
The top five cities for hardworking youngsters were:
- Brighton – 8 hours 43 minutes
- Cardiff – 7 hours 10 minutes
- Manchester – 6 hours 37 minutes
- Newcastle – 6 hours 18 minutes
- Birmingham – 6 hours 1 minute
Ciaron Dunne, CEO at Office Genie, said that while younger workers tend to get bad press, there are a lot of misconceptions which this research clearly demonstrates.
He added that the high proportion of those under 24 who work more than 20 hours in overtime shows their true dedication and willingness to get ahead and work hard.
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