A recent online survey conducted by an independent think-tank, the Australian Institute, has revealed that employees across Australia are undertaking over 2 billion hours of unpaid overtime every year. If paid for, this time would account for wages totaling little below $72 Billion.

As per the survey, a regular full-time Australian employee clocks in nearly 70 minutes of unpaid overtime every day, which means 33 eight-hour days every year. The survey revealed that, 45% of the total workforce and over 50% of all full-time employees recorded more working hours than they are paid for each day. 43% of the interviewed workers said that while overtime was "not expected", it was "not discouraged" as well.

"While Australians might have a reputation for taking ’sickies’ and ’smokos’, the evidence suggests otherwise" said the Institute's Executive Director Richard Denniss, while pointing out that the amount of time Australians overworked is equal to at least 1.1 million full-time jobs.

In light of the findings, the Australian Institute has pronounced November 25 as the national 'Go Home on Time Day', and workers on this day are being encouraged to put off all last minute tasks for the next working day and register for a 'leave pass' at Gohomeontimeday. org. au.