Tired of staying late at the office catching up on work and racking up unpaid overtime? On Friday 27th February make sure you come in when you’re supposed to and leave on time, because it’s Work Your Proper Hours Day. Offices and workplaces around London rejoice, because on this day you have no excuse to not leave when your hours are up.

How it averages out
The date of Work Your Proper Hours Day, 27th February, works out to be the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes their unpaid days and starts earning. Each year the average Londoner puts in enough unpaid overtime so that it adds up to 27th February before they start doing the work that they’re paid to do.

Hardworking stats
More than five million people who work in the UK do unpaid overtime regularly, adding up to about £26.9 billion of free work every year. That’s loads of money and work that companies around London are taking home for free, so make sure you show your boss who’s boss and head home at your proper quitting time on 27th February 2009.

For your health
Working your proper hours is better for your health and your social life, as you’ll see your family more, go out with your friends in London and cut down on your stress. Not to mention that if you’re tired at work you won’t be as efficient, which means that you’ll have to stay later the next day. On 27th February try to break out of the vicious cycle.

What you can do
Whilst we’re not advising you to quit your job or do anything rash, make sure you do only the work you’re paid to do on Work Your Proper Hours Day. Don’t work through your lunch and don’t stay in the office until the early hours of the morning trying to get things done. If you’d like to get a head start on your weekend there are loads of events going on in London.

Work Your Proper Hours Day takes place on 27th February 2009. For more information on some more exciting ways to spend your Friday, click on the links below.

Friday Night Skate

Tate Triennial Exhibition

Sonic Trail at Tate Britain

Kinetic Art Fair London

Wales Uber Alles London

True Taste Welsh Market London

Picasso Exhibition London

Picasso Menu at National Cafe

Simply Madonna

Body Worlds London

Underground Rebel Bingo

Orchids Exhibition at Kew

Darwin Exhibition London

ARTtea at Cadogan Hotel

For Your Eyes Only London