Overtime in the banking sector has almost trebled, according to a survey by banking and finance recruiter Badenoch & Clark.

Almost half (47%) of employees are putting in more hours, while over three quarters (77%) of those working longer hours are working ‘50 hours or more’ each week, compared with 17% in 2007 and 26% in autumn 2008.

And 17% of employees have had or expect to take a pay cut to keep their job due to the recession.

Alison Burgin, executive director at Badenoch and Clark, says: “As businesses look to combat the economic downturn they are looking to their workforce to help them weather the storm. As a result there are a growing number of banking and financial services  professionals feeling the pressure and facing longer working hours, increased responsibility and fewer rewards.”