The UK-based Trades Union Congress (TUC) is urging Britons to work their normal hours and leave the office on time.

Dubbed Work Your Proper Hours Day, February 23rd has been nominated as the TUC has calculated that if Britons were to work all of their unpaid overtime at the beginning of the year, this is the earliest they would get paid.

The UK's workforce is estimated to work an additional seven hours and six minutes of unpaid work every week, worth nearly £5,000 every year.

"We work the longest hours in Europe and too many workplaces are gripped by a long hours culture," said Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC.

"There are some small signs that we are getting a bit better, but there is still a long way to go," he added.

Additionally, the TUC is recommending that employers reward employees working long hours, by buying the occasional coffee or lunch.

The TUC is an umbrella trade union organisation, representing around 6.5 million employees.