Overtime levels are on the increase in Western Australia, with 28 per cent of respondents to the annual salary survey by recruitment company Hays saying they had increased them over the past 12 months.
The full text of a Hays announcement is pasted below
28 per cent of WA companies have increased overtime levels, a survey by specialist recruiter Hays found. Of these companies, 37 per cent said the weekly increase was 5 hours or less per week, 26 per cent said it was between five to 10 hours and 13 per cent said it was more than 10 hours per week.
At month end, 8 per cent of companies said they increase overtime by 5 hours or less, 19 per cent increase it by five to 10 hours and 7 per cent increase it by more than 10 hours.
Of the companies surveyed, 6 per cent said they had decreased overtime levels.
"Five hours or less overtime, whether per week, at month-end or at year-end, is generally considered a reasonable level of overtime to meet occasional fluctuating workloads," said Nick Deligiannis, Director at Hays in Perth.
"However when overtime becomes excessive, or is not recognised or rewarded, it can lead to lower productivity, lower morale, fatigue-related mistakes and accidents, higher turnover and increased absenteeism.
"When recognised or rewarded, used effectively and in moderation, overtime can help increase employee satisfaction as it gives employees an option to either supplement their income, or take time in lieu, and the company can increase or decrease overtime to meet workload demands, so it can be a positive tool for both
employers and employees," Nick Deligiannis said.
