Is the nine-to-five redundant?

The out-of-hours economy is growing, a study suggests

The traditional nine-to-five day is becoming a thing of the past, according to a new survey. Read original article

But is this a victory for flexible working, or a sign that Britons are being kept at their desks longer than ever?

See also

• Centre for Economics and Business Research
• TUC
• The Work Foundation

It might be the byword for a regular day's shift, but it seems Britain is moving away from the nine-to-five.

One third of workers do their jobs outside those standard hours, according to a survey by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

'Around the clock'

With evenings no longer just the preserve of waiters, bar staff and security guards, the study found 58% of manufacturing employees, half of all tradespeople and 36% of managers now work at least some of their day between 5pm and 9am.

We're not saying that people should be clock-watching all day. But neither should they be taken for granted Paul Sellers TUC

Chris Pilling, the chief executive of banking firm First Direct, which commissioned the report, says employment patterns are having to change because consumers are demanding services 24 hours a day.

"People like being able to pay their bills after they've finished watching EastEnders and to do the weekly shop after the kids are tucked up in bed," he says.

Businesses are also increasingly working across time zones and providing a round-the clock service, adds Susan Anderson, the CBI's Director of Human Resources.

She says: "More employers are also offering more flexible working patterns as this enables people to fit work in around other responsibilities, such as child and eldercare, and helps to motivate and retain valued staff."

But trade unions say the change has more to do with bosses pressuring staff to stay at their posts longer into the evening.

A TUC survey earlier this year suggested the average British worker does unpaid overtime worth £4,800 each year.

Are workers chained to their desks?

The UK is the only country in the EU in which all workers can opt out of the maximum 48-hour working week - with 13% of British workers exceeding that limit.

Full-time British employees also work the longest average hours in Europe - 43.5 per week, compared with 39.9 in Germany and 38.2 in France.

TUC policy adviser Paul Sellers says employers pressing their staff to stay longer than their contracted hours should be resisted.

"We're not saying that people should be clock-watching all day. But neither should they be taken for granted," he insists.

Mr Sellers argues that breaking free from the nine-to-five cycle can be good for staff trying to strike a work-life balance.

'Minority luxury'

But he says that far from reflecting a shift towards flexible working, the so-called "24-hour economy" is actually preventing workers from working the hours that suit them.

A DTI report in February found that 20% of employees not already working flexible hours wanted to do so. In addition, 18% who did not work from home would like to but were denied the opportunity. The CBI, however, says 90% of requests for flexible working are granted.

However, Stephen Overell from employment think tank the Work Foundation believes that the post-nine-to-five revolution is not benefiting employees.

"If you look at flexible working, it's still very much a minority luxury," he added.

"That said, it doesn't suit everyone - if you have to worry about childcare then having set hours will be very important to you.

"The important thing is whether you have a choice."