Unpaid overtime ‘could result in more employment law tribunals’

Posted 23/08/2010

The rise in people working unpaid overtime could lead to an increase in employment law cases, according to an industry expert.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said many employees are under pressure to work longer hours without additional compensation, particularly if their company is struggling.

He also suggested disputes over unpaid overtime are likely to result in more cases of unfair dismissal.

“For a lot of employers, probably in the small and medium-sized enterprises sector, there could be cases where staff are being asked to put in additional work because of pressure on the business,” Mr Flaxton commented.

A recent report from Contact Law showed a 15 per cent rise in the number of people seeking advice on employment law issues in July this year, compared with the previous month.

Of these inquiries, four out of ten were from people who had lost their jobs in claims of unfair or constructive dismissal.