Across many professional services, including recruitment, employees are feeling the effects of higher workloads and are operating longer than contractually obligated.
According to the recently released 2015 Hays Salary Guide, 28 per cent of Australian businesses had increased overtime during the last 12 months, while just 11 per cent had decreased this value.
Based on the findings, the number of hours that employees were actually working overtime had risen substantially. A total of 11 per cent noted it was more than 10 hours per week, 34 per cent between five and 10 hours, and 33 per cent by five hours or less.
Managing Director of Hays in Australia & New Zealand Nick Deligiannis explained that many Australians are undertaking overtime – yet just 38 per cent are being paid for their efforts.
“Professionals in highly skilled roles, often on a salary, and often in professional services, tend to undertake a lot of this overtime,” he said.
“Add the high number (68 per cent) of employers who expect their levels of business activity to increase in the year ahead, and it’s no wonder that more employers are increasing not decreasing overtime in their organisation.”
Problems associated with working overtime
When operating in busy industries, such as IT contracting, working overtime might seem like a good idea – get ahead on the next day’s tasks or even finish off after a busy day, but this can result in poorer productivity moving forward.
Mr Deligiannis noted that stressed and overworked employees can’t perform at their peak and the potential for burnout is high.
“In many of the organisations that increased overtime, there could be a very good business case for adding an addition to the headcount – either permanent or temporary – to get through peak periods and relieve pressure on existing staff.”
However, is there another solution?
Technology to grow productivity
According to Microsoft Australia, Australian businesses can grow and develop quicker if they embrace new technologies and take a more innovative approach to working. In a recent survey, it was found that Australian firms have one of the lowest rates of new technology adoption in the Asia-Pacific region – behind many developing south-east Asian countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
To combat this, IT contracting business could consider the assistance of Oncore Services. Through our multiple contractor management software platforms, many time-consuming processes such as payroll and invoices can be consolidated into one easy-to-use system.
For more information on how Oncore Services can add value to your business, contact our expert team today.