Tech workers speak out over long hours and pressure to opt out of legal protections
Prospect’s new survey of workers in the UK’s tech sector paints a picture of a workforce under pressure. The survey found that around half of tech workers have been asked to opt out of the Working Time Directive, raising fresh concerns about burnout and work-life balance.
The Working Time Directive protects workers from being required to work more than 48 hours a week. While opting out is allowed, it must be a genuine choice. We found, however, that in tech, opt-out clauses are common in contracts and many workers feel pressured to waive their protections. 70% of respondents said they are unable to achieve a satisfactory work-life balance.
Respondents told us that long hours and inflexible expectations continue to hold women back, making it harder to stay in the industry or progress within it. The tech sector already struggles with gender imbalance, with women making up just 22% of workers and even fewer in senior roles.
Disabled and neurodiverse workers also face unique challenges. Tech has an above-average proportion of neurodivergent employees but requests for reasonable adjustments are often turned down. Prospect supports many sector workers with issues relating to neurodiversity and frequently witnesses employers failing to make those adjustments, leaving many workers squeezed out by rigid working patterns.
Rachel Curley, Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, said the culture around working time is costing the sector talent it cannot afford to lose.
“Tech is a key growth sector competing globally for skills but it can be an unwelcoming place to work, particularly for women, disabled people and neurodiverse workers.
“In 2025 it is totally unacceptable to have an industry driving many of its workforce to either burnout or drop out altogether. This is not only a highly questionable practice but deprives the industry of a large pool of talent.
“The government has recognised some of the problem with the creation of the Women in Tech Taskforce, but policy makers and the sector need to do far more to move away from the toxic tech bro culture.
“Measures in the Employment Rights Bill represent a huge opportunity for workers to join a union and have a say in the polices that impact their working lives.”
