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Students preparing to go into jobs should make sure they are going to be fully accredited for working overtime, as a Trades Union Congress (TUC) report says that the number of employees working overtime without being paid is increasing.

The TUC research shows that the number of people working unpaid overtime rose by 103,000 in 2007.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: " TUC general secretary Brendan Barber (pictured) says: "After years of progress, Britain's long hours culture is enjoying a renaissance and today's figures suggest many people are not even being paid for putting in these extra hours. People are giving away nearly £5,000 a year in unpaid overtime - that's too much time and money that could be better spent with friends and family."

He added that the TUC is calling on employees and bosses to take a stand on 'Work your proper hours day' by "making sure they take a proper lunch break and leave on time".

Employees who work overtime and do not get paid for it would receive an extra £4,955 a year if they claimed the cash for the extra hours, according to the report.

Yorkshire and Humberside saw the biggest increase in employees who work overtime unpaid - there were 38,000 more in 2007.

The TUC brings unions in Britain together to draw up common policies.

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