The study, conducted by the online calculator tool The Calculator Site, examined each local authority’s mean number of annual paid overtime hours per person in 2023, as reported by the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), to determine the top four local authorities most at risk of burnout in 2024.
North Lincolnshire takes the crown as the most overworked local authority. The annual mean paid overtime was 78 hours per person, 90.24% above the national average of 41 hours in 2023. However, overtime hours seem to be decreasing in the local authority, with 2023’s figures being 16.7% lower than 2022.
South Holland takes silver. The local authority is the second most at risk of burnout, with 73 hours of annual mean paid overtime, 22.2% less than the last year. South Holland’s mean overtime is 78.04% less than the previous year.
Thurrock and Slough rank in joint third place, with 68 hours of annual mean paid overtime per person, 65.85% above the national average in 2023. Slough’s figures were 18.8% less in 2022, but Thurrock’s were 18.2% higher in 2022.
Westmorland and Furness, Kingston upon Hull and Breckland rank in joint fourth place, with 62 hours of annual mean paid overtime per person, 51.21% more than the national average in 2023. Westmorland and Furness’ annual mean overtime hours increased by 33.3% from 2022, while Kingston upon Hull’s fell by 7.7%, alongside 25% for Breckland.
Alastair Hazell of The Calculator Site has commented on the study: “1 in 5 people have taken time off work due to stress and pressure in the last 12 months, according to research by Mental Health U.K. These high-intensity feelings can often lead to burnout, with symptoms including lack of energy, frequent illness, headaches and a change in appetite or sleeping habits.
“This study examines data on annual mean paid overtime to reveal the most overworked local authorities in the U.K. The research has pinpointed the locations most at risk of burnout in 2024, with North Lincolnshire taking the top spot, followed by South Holland.
“It is essential to protect mental health in the workplace. Following this study, employers and employees should calculate their overtime hours. This pre-emptive step will ensure that burnout is not so common in the workplace in 2024, although it will be interesting to see which location will top the list in the coming months.”
Table: The most overworked U.K. local authorities
| Rank | U.K. local authority | Annual mean number of paid overtime hours (per person) |
| 1 | North Lincolnshire | 78 |
| 2 | South Holland | 73 |
| =3 | Thurrock | 68 |
| =3 | Slough | 68 |
| =4 | Westmorland and Furness | 62 |
| =4 | Kingston upon Hull | 62 |
| =4 | Breckland | 62 |
*Mean hours have been rounded to the closest number.