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UK employees work the longest hours in the EU

epa04177090 City workers walk towards Tower Bridge during the rush hour in London, Britain 23 April 2014. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

The British work the longest hours in the EU, but are less productive than those in some other countries according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade unions in England and Wales, representing the majority of trade unions in the country.

In a new study from the TUC, it  suggests full-time employees in this country worked an average of 42 hours a week last year, almost two more than the typical EU employee.

Despite the longer hours, the UK still lags behind countries such as Germany and Denmark when it comes to productivity. In 2017 Britain was ranked 14th in terms of output per worker per hour.

In Denmark workers average 37 hours a week, while countries such as Holland, Italy, Belgium, France, Sweden and Ireland average 39.

Despite the longer hours, the UK still lags behind countries such as Germany and Denmark when it comes to productivity. In 2017 Britain was ranked 14th in terms of output per worker per hour.

According to the TUC, the average full-time week in Britain has shortened by 18 minutes over the past decade, but at the current rate of progress, it would take 63 years for workers to get the same amount of free time as elsewhere in the EU.

 

Via Sky News

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