The UK lost a staggering 148.9 million working days to sickness or injury in 2024, which is the highest on record since data collection began.
That’s 4.4 days per worker, according to the latest official figures. And while viruses and injuries still play a role, a growing body of evidence suggests burnout is now a critical driver of absence, and it’s fuelled by excessive overtime across key sectors.
A new analysis by comparison site money.co.uk business bank accounts shows which industries are working the most overtime, and are therefore most exposed to the physical, mental, and financial consequences of chronic overwork.
Burnout: No Longer a Buzzword, But a Business Risk
Recent research shows that 28% of desk-based workers have experienced burnout, and of these, more than half (52%) have had to take time off work as a result. It’s a pattern increasingly familiar to HR teams: driven professionals pushing through long hours until their mental and physical health gives way.
Transportation and storage workers top the overtime charts, clocking 5.7 median extra hours per week. That’s nearly six hours of unpaid or excess labour on top of already long working weeks, which average more than 39 hours and is significantly above the national average of 36 hours and 36 minutes.
Burnout by the Hour: Who’s Working the Longest Weeks?
Some sectors are shouldering the heaviest loads, often with little recognition of the long-term risks. These are the top 10 industries for median weekly overtime:
1. Transportation and Storage — 5.7 hours
From delivery drivers to warehouse staff, those keeping the country moving are putting in nearly six extra hours a week on top of already long shifts. The sector averages over 39 paid hours weekly, well above the national average of 36.6.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing — 5.6 hours
Often seasonal, unpredictable and physically demanding, this sector is working long hours to keep food supplies flowing, but at a high personal cost.
Energy and Utilities — 4.8 hours
Workers in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning roles are among the most overworked, a reflection of growing infrastructure demands.
4. Manufacturing — 4.1 hours
Whether it’s factory floors or production lines, staff here are regularly going above and beyond to meet supply chain and export pressures.
5. Water, Waste and Recycling — 4.0 hours
Ensuring sanitation and sustainability comes with a workload that often spills beyond standard hours.
6. Administrative and Support Services — 3.7 hours
Back-office teams, facilities management and support services are quietly putting in the extra time that keeps everything ticking over.
7. Real Estate — 3.4 hours
The property world is known for long hours and unpredictable peaks, especially in times of economic uncertainty.
8. Public Administration and Defence — 3 hours
Civil servants and defence staff face mounting responsibilities, with overtime creeping steadily upward.
9. Human Health and Social Work — 2.9 hours
While the figure may seem modest, it comes on top of notoriously long and emotionally draining shifts, especially in the NHS and care homes.
10. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation / Accommodation & Food Services — 2.8 hours
Tied for tenth place, these sectors often rely on shift work and irregular hours, with many workers going the extra mile just to stay afloat.
The Hidden Costs of Overtime
While some overtime can offer flexibility, persistent overwork is now seen by many experts as a red flag for burnout risk, poor work-life balance, and ultimately, staff retention problems.
Joe Phelan, spokesperson for money.co.uk business bank accounts, warned that outdated assumptions about productivity were no longer fit for today’s workforce.
“Attracting and retaining high-quality talent doesn’t just come down to salary. It’s also about meeting evolving expectations around working conditions,” he said. “Today’s employees are more willing to walk away from roles that don’t offer a healthy work-life balance or prioritise wellbeing.”
He added that businesses ignoring wellbeing might soon see the consequences ripple across their operations.
“When companies get this right, they typically see lower staff turnover, higher engagement, and more consistent productivity, all of which feed into more stable operations and healthier cash flow.”
What It Means for Employers
The findings mirror a wider trend: workers increasingly value balance over burnout. With talent shortages still impacting many sectors, employers who fail to address long hours and rising stress risk not just absence, but attrition.
Forward-thinking organisations are already responding by:
- Monitoring overtime trends and identifying hotspots for intervention
- Training managers to spot early signs of burnout and fatigue
- Providing flexibility in hours and location of work
- Investing in wellbeing initiatives, from mental health support to rest culture
- Using business bank accounts and financial tools to manage cash flow and reduce dependency on unpaid labour
Addressing burnout requires more than token gestures, said Phelan, adding that “businesses need to offer more than just pay; they must create environments with manageable hours, flexibility, and genuine support.”