Do I have to work long hours?

No. The Working Time Regulations 1998 limit the working week for most occupations to an average of 48 hours, and set other minimum standards.

See the workSMART pages on working hours, and the TUC's Changing Times work-life balance campaign for more information. Also have a look at the WorkSmart Work Your Proper Hours Day campaign. This campaign celebrates Work Your Proper Hours Day (25 Feb 2011), which is the day when the average person who does unpaid overtime finishes the unpaid days they do every year, and starts earning for themselves. The aim of the campaign is to draw attention to the long hours culture in so many British workplaces and to encourage better work-life balance.