CONSULTING firm Croner has weighed in against the TUC's Work Your Proper Hours Day, being observed across the country today.

The union is lobbying business to cut down on unpaid overtime, but Croner has said a "coffee break culture" may be to blame.

Richard Smith, an HR expert at Croner said quality, not quantity of time spent in the office is what matters.

"While the day raises awareness of the unpaid overtime problem, it is not really helping employers to manage it," he said. "In fact making a point of finishing work on time today could be further adding to our 'presenteeism' approach where staff feel they have done their job just by showing their face for a set number of hours.

"Employers must look at the reasons why staff are working late. Is it because they have too much work, or perhaps they feel they must show their face until at least six or seven o'clock?

"It could be that a 'coffee-break culture' means staff are not working as smartly as they could."