WORKERS in Britain are being driven to exhaustion through demands for harder, faster and more intense work, higher output and unreachable targets, a damning new report reveals.

Bosses are even using new technology to increase levels of exploitation, despite its effects on workers’ health and well-being.

The TUC report following a new poll states that 55 per cent of workers polled feel that work is getting more intense and demanding, 61 per cent say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days, and 40 per cent say they have to do more work in the same amount of time — and the problems are getting worse.

Unpaid overtime is also a factor. Last year it handed employers £26 billion in free labour from 3.7 million workers.

The TUC says women face greater work intensity than men. Women are more likely to say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days and that work is getting more intense.

A chilling aspect of the report is the use of new technology to increase levels of exploitation rather than to ease workloads.

Surveillance and electronic monitoring of workers is being used to drive workers who are striving to meet unrealistic productivity targets.

Deliberately created staff shortages and failure to follow working hours regulations increase the pressure, the report states.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “No-one should be pushed to the brink because of their job.

“Gruelling hours, pace and expectations at work are growing problems up and down the country. This is a recipe for burnt-out Britain.”

“Chronic staff shortages, intrusive surveillance tech and poor enforcement of workers’ rights have all combined to create a perfect storm.

“It’s little wonder that so many feel exhausted at the end of their working day,” he said.

The TUC has issued a list of actions needed including introduction of legislation to protect workers.

“It’s time to tackle ever-increasing work intensity. That means strengthening enforcement so that workers can effectively exercise their rights.

“And it means making sure workers and unions are properly consulted on the use of AI and surveillance tech, and ensuring they are protected from punishing ways of working.”