6342.0 - Working Arrangements, Australia, Nov 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 09/06/2004   
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MEDIA RELEASE

June 09, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
93/2004

Almost 3 million employees work overtime on a regular basis

The number of employees who work overtime on a regular basis increased to almost 3 million in November 2003, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This is an increase from 33% of all employees in November 2000 to 37% in November 2003.

For the most recent period of overtime for employees who worked overtime on a regular basis:
    • 38% of employees (1,132,700) were paid for the overtime
    • 21% of employees (628,500) had overtime included in their salary package
    • 33% of employees (985,900) were not paid for the overtime.
Men were more likely than women to work overtime on a regular basis (44% compared to 29%). The occupation groups 'managers and administrators' (63%) and 'professionals' (51%) had the highest proportions of employees working overtime on a regular basis.

Other findings from the survey, Working Arrangements, Australia include:
    • 34% of employees did not have fixed work start and finish times
    • 41% of employees were able to work extra hours in order to take time off
    • 70% of employees could choose when holidays were taken
    • 20% of employees were entitled to a Rostered Day Off
    • 14% of employees worked shift work in the last 4 weeks.

One in five employees were absent from their main job for three hours or more in the two weeks before the survey. Three-quarters (1,198,200) of those employees who had an absence were paid for their most recent absence. The most common reasons for absences were 'holiday/travel or other recreational purpose' (38%) and 'own ill health, physical disability' (32%).

Further information is in Working Arrangements, Australia, 2003 (cat. no. 6342.0).