“Workers give bosses $72 billion in unpaid overtime” scream today’s News Limited headline.
The online survey of 1000 respondents, commissioned by The Australia Institute, found that 44 per cent of people who work unpaid overtime in Australian workplaces said it is “compulsory” or “expected”.
What does this mean for the leadership of companies and other organisations?
This report gives us some indication of the enormous resource that is controlled by our team members. They own discretionary effort and it’s much much larger than the value of “compulsory” or “expected” overtime reported in this story.
- One is obtained grudgingly; the other given enthusiastically.
- One is unsustainable; one is renewable.
- One is coerced; one is from the heart.
A powerfully aligned corporate culture unlocks the discretionary effort of team members - it’s got nothing to do with “voluntary overtime”.
It’s about what happens during regular work hours.
Contact The Culture Doctor ® to find out how we can help your leadership to unlock this powerful resource available to your business.
