TUC: Take your break

Workers have been urged to work their contractual hours and not give their employers any free labour.

On "work your hours day" the TUC is calling on employees to take their lunch break and leave on time in order to draw attention to the scale of unpaid overtime in British offices, shops and factories.

Over five million people at work in the UK regularly do unpaid overtime, giving their employers £23 billion of free work every year, the TUC claims.

"Today is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. We think that's a day worth celebrating," says the TUC.

"Take a proper lunchbreak, not just a sandwich at your desk, and leave on time, to enjoy your own time on Friday evening. Why not get together with friends or colleagues, and go for a meal, a pint, or take in a show? You deserve it.

"This is one day in the year for your boss to appreciate your efforts, and for you to appreciate yourself."