Manage overtime

Pros and cons of overtime

The potential advantages of using overtime working include:

• a more flexible workforce
• the ability to deal with bottlenecks, busy periods, cover of absences and staff shortages without the need to recruit extra staff
• increased earning for employees
• avoidance of disruption to jobs where the workload is more difficult to share, eg transport and driving
• the ability to carry out repair and maintenance which has to be done outside normal working hours

However, disadvantages may include:

• the expense of premium overtime rates
• inefficiency if employees slacken their pace of work in order to qualify for overtime
• regular long working hours, which can adversely effect employees' work, health and home lives - see our guide on how to meet the need for work-life balance 
• fatigue, which may increase absence levels and lead to unsafe working practices
• employee expectations of overtime, leading to resentment and inflexibility if you try to withdraw it

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Overtime and employment contracts
• Health and safety issues
• Pros and cons of overtime
• Part-time employees and alternatives
• Using overtime successfully
• Time off in lieu
• Here's how I manage working hours to control costs and avoid unnecessary pressure on staff

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