Official Statistics

Armed forces continuous working patterns survey 2023/24: main report

Published 25 July 2024

The Continuous Working Patterns (CWP) Survey is a seven day diary completed by trained UK personnel to record the number of hours spent at work, on call, on breaks, and off duty. The aim of the survey is to measure and describe the working patterns of trained, UK regular personnel.

The publication provides results from the CWP Survey 2023/24 along with results from the previous years by Service, broad location and rank group.

1. Key Points and Trends

1.1 The average weekly hours worked by trained, UK regular personnel is 43.1 hours in 2023/24

A 1.2 hour decrease compared to 2022/23.

1.2 Royal Navy personnel have the highest average weekly hours worked at 44.7 hours

Similar to 2022/23, where Royal Navy personnel reported the highest average weekly hours worked compared to other services.

Figure 1.1: Average hours worked by Service, 2023/24.

Figure 1.1 is a bar chart that shows the average hours worked by Service, in 2023/24.

1.3 The average weekly hours spent on duty by trained, UK regular personnel is 62.0 hours in 2023/24

A 3.3 hour decrease compared to 2022/23.

1.4 4% of trained, UK regular personnel worked excessive hours

A decrease from 2022/23. Excessive hours refers to working more than 70 hours during the week surveyed.

1.5 The average weekly unsociable hours worked by trained, UK regular personnel is 5.3 hours in 2023/24

Similar to 2022/23. Unsociable hours refer to any hours worked between 18:00 and 6:00, Monday to Friday, and any hours worked on Saturday and Sunday.

1.6 The CWP survey’s valid response rate in 2023/24 was 13%

This is similar to the response rate reported in 2022/23 (14%).

Figure 1.2: Valid response rate by Service, 2023/24.

Figure 1.2 is a bar chart that shows the valid response rate of the CWP survey by Service, in 2023/24.

Responsible statistician: Surveys Head of Branch Email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk

Background quality report

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1.7 Introduction

About these statistics

The Chief of Defence people (CDP) sponsors the CWP survey under a remit from the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB).

The CWP survey 2023/24 was distributed to 26,472 trained UK Regular personnel between October 2023 to March 2024 using both online and paper questionnaires. Participants were chosen using stratified simple random sampling, designed to ensure sufficient responses from each Service and each rank group within each Service.

Overall 3,346 of the returned surveys were considered valid, which represents a response rate of 13%. This is similar to the response rate reported in 2022/23 (14%).

Data Quality Note

CWP survey 2020/21 was in field from November 2020 to June 2021, during a time of national restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and two national lockdowns which may have influenced the results. The potential impact of COVID-19 on personnel’s working pattern should still be considered when comparing this years 2023/24 result with previous years.

An online version of the survey was introduced in the second wave of CWP 2020/21 to improve response rates following feedback on the difficulties distributing paper questionnaires during lockdowns. For the last three years, the online survey is utilised in both waves and distributed to all personnel in the sample. Moreover, we carried out a trial of sending additional surveys to deployed locations to improve response rates, due to observations and feedback on difficulties in collecting responses from deployed locations. In 2019/20, unnamed batches of the survey were sent to deployed locations for distribution, in addition to the ones sent to identified deployed personnel from the main sample. From 2022/23, this was done by sending a link for the online survey to contacts based in overseas operational locations for circulation among personnel. We then sent periodic reminders to these named points of contact at these locations to encourage the distribution of the online link, to further boost response rates.

Although an improvement in response rate was seen in 2021/22 with the full introduction of the online survey and the introduction of the deployed surveys trial, response rates over the last two years have returned to levels seen in 2020/21. We plan to investigate why this has occurred. Those who responded online may have different working patterns to those who responded on paper; and those responded to the deployed surveys trial might have different working patterns to the identified deployed personnel from the main sample.

To better understand the possible effect on results, paper and online responses have been analysed and compared separately as part of the analysis this year. Similarly, responses from the deployed surveys trial were analysed separately and compared to the analysis of the original deployed sample. The main report and accompanying reference tables to this report provide the combined paper and online results and the combined results from the deployed personnel surveys trial and the main deployed personnel surveys. More detail is provided in the Background Quality Report.

1.8 About this statistical release

The CWP survey consists of a seven day diary of time spent at work, on break, on call and off duty. The following definitions are used within the questionnaire and therefore hold within this report:

Work includes:

• Normal work
• Working from home
• Duty personnel, when working
• Exercise / Operations working time
• Compulsory fitness training
• Instruction / training course
• Duty travel
• Ceremonial / hosting duties
• Service representational duties
• Secondary duties (for example Mess Treasurer)

Breaks include:

• Meal and tea breaks

On call includes:

• Held in a specified location
• On call at a place of duty
• Duty personnel, when on standby
• Period of off duty / stand down on exercise or operations
• Held at 48 hours or less Notice to Move (NTM)

Off duty includes:

• Leave (for less than 24 hours)
• Travel between home and place of duty
• Off duty / stand down (except for when on exercise / operations—see on call)

In addition, the following terminology has been used throughout this report: “On duty” refers to time spent at work, on call or on breaks. “Royal Navy” refers to the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.

Data Quality The Army Basing Programme aimed to bring all Army units back from Germany to the UK by 2020. The number of personnel based in Germany has greatly reduced since 2019/20 from a few thousand to just a few hundred.

This has greatly reduced the number of responses received from Germany. Therefore, breakdowns of Army results for Germany have not been included in this report since 2019/20. However, Germany responses have been included in the overall Army and Tri-service results.

Excel Reference tables, ODS References tables and CWP 2023/24 questionnaires are published as separate documents and can be found on the CWP webpage.

As well as providing details of the working patterns of the Services, the reference tables also provide details of the three single Service working patterns broken down by rank group and broad locations each year from the 2016/17 survey. This time series data is presented in a series of tables and graphs.

Please see the Background Quality Report for full details of the survey methodology, analysis and data quality considerations.

Note: Throughout the publication, where statistical significant tests are applied in order to detect any statistical differences in working patterns between the current year (2023/24) and the previous year (2022/23), a series of z-tests were conducted at a 95% confidence interval.

2. Tri-Service

2.1 Working patterns, 2023/24

In 2023/24, at a Tri-service level personnel spent 43.1 hours per week working, 13.2 hours on call and 62.0 hours on duty. All figures have decreased compared to 2022/23, where on average personnel spent 44.3 hours at work, 15.3 hours on call and 65.4 hours on duty.

Figure 2.1: Working patterns of personnel, 2023/24

Figure 2.1 is a stacked bar chart that shows the average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by Tri-service personnel, in 2023/24. The largest proportion of time is spent off duty (105.7 hours).

On average, personnel spent 43.1 hours per week at work. This is a 1.2 hour decrease from the previous year (44.3 hours). Hours spent on call and on duty saw a similar decrease this year; with time spent on call reducing to an average of 13.2 hours and on duty to an average of 62.0 hours.

Figure 2.2: Working patterns of all personnel by Service, 2023/24

Figure 2.2 is a stacked bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by Service, in 2023/24.

Royal Navy personnel reported spending the most hours at work at 44.7 hours per week. This was followed by Army personnel at 43.0 hours and RAF at 41.6 hours. Royal Navy personnel also spent the most hours on call at 19.1 hours, followed by RAF personnel at 14.7 hours and Army personnel at 10.1 hours. On average, Royal Navy personnel also spent the most hours on duty at 69.1 hours per week.

This difference is largely due to Royal Navy sea-based personnel who report considerably higher average hours worked, on call and on duty than personnel based on shore.

Figure 2.3: Working patterns of all personnel by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 2.3 is a stacked bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by rank group, in 2023/24.

On average, Senior Officers reported spending the highest hours at work at 50.3 hours, this was followed by Junior Officers (46.5 hours), Senior Other Ranks/Rates (44.7 hours) and Junior Other Ranks/Rates (40.6 hours). Junior Officers on average spent the most time on call at 19.0 hours whilst Junior Other Ranks/Rates spent the least at 10.3 hours. Overall, Other Ranks/Rates spent less hours per week on duty compared to Officers.

Table 2.1 Working Patterns of personnel 2022/23 - 2023/24

	At Work			On Call			On Duty
	2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24
Tri-service	44.3	43.1	▼	15.3	13.2	▼	65.4	62.0	▼
Royal Navy	49.2	44.7	▼	18.4	19.1		73.5	69.1	▼
Army	43.0	43.0		14.3	10.1	▼	63.4	59.5	▼
RAF	42.6	41.6	▼	14.6	14.7		61.8	61.0
Senior Officers	51.5	50.3	▼	14.6	15.6		70.7	70.3
Junior Officers	47.1	46.5		16.5	19.0	▲	68.4	71.5	▲
Senior Other Ranks/Rates	45.5	44.7		14.8	16.8	▲	66.5	67.4
Junior Other Ranks/Rates	42.2	40.6	▼	15.4	10.3	▼	63.5	56.9	▼

Key

▲ Significant increase from 2022/23

▼ Significant decrease from 2022/23

At a Tri-service level time spent at work, on call and on duty has decreased in 2023/24 when compared to figures reported in 2022/23.

At a single service level there is a decrease in hours spent at work for the Royal Navy (44.7 hours) and the RAF (41.6 hours) compared to the previous year. Royal Navy personnel reported a 4.4 hour decrease on time spent on duty this year, whilst Army personnel reported a 3.9 hour decrease. Furthermore, Army personnel reported spending significantly less hours on call (10.1 hours); this is driving the overall decline at a Tri-service level of hours spent on call.

Within rank groups Junior Other Ranks/Rates are helping drive the decrease seen at a Tri-service level with average hours spent at work (40.6 hours), on call (10.3 hours) and on duty (56.9 hours) seeing a significant decrease compared to the previous year (42.2 hours, 15.4 hours and 63.5 hours respectively). There are also notable increases present this year, for example Junior Officers reported spending more time on call and on duty in 2023/24 (19.0 hours and 71.5 hours respectively) compared to figures reported in 2022/23 (16.5 hours and 68.4 hours respectively).

2.2 Unsociable hours worked by personnel, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Unsociable hours are described as:

• Any hours worked between 18:00 and 6:00, Monday to Friday

• Any hours worked on Saturday and Sunday

In 2023/24, at a Tri-service level personnel on average worked 5.3 unsociable hours, this remains unchanged compared to 2022/23 (6.3 hours).

At a single service level, the average unsociable hours worked by Royal Navy personnel has decreased this year with personnel working 7.9 unsociable hours per week, a reduction of 3.3 hours compared to the previous year (11.2 hours).

Figure 2.4 Unsociable hours worked by Service, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 2.4 is a line chart showing average unsociable hours worked between 2016/17 and 2023/24 by Tri-service, Navy, Army and RAF personnel.

Although the Royal Navy reported a significant drop in the number of unsociable hours worked by personnel in 2023/24, they continue to report the highest average number of unsociable hours worked by service. This may be due to sea-based personnel having additional duties that require them to spend extra hours at work during unsociable hours.

2.3 Excessive hours worked ¹ and spent on duty, 2023/24

Section 2.3 is based on the 1,771 regular personnel for whom a full week’s data was available in 2023/24 (53% of all valid responses).

Overall, 4% of personnel worked more than 70 hours per week.

Excessive hours. The proportion of personnel who worked more than 70 hours during the week surveyed.

The Royal Navy reported 9% of personnel working excessive hours, this was 4% for Army personnel and 2% for RAF.

8% of Senior Officers spent excessive hours at work, this was 6% for Junior Officers, 5% for Senior Other Ranks/Rates and 3% for Junior Other Ranks/Rates.

Figure 2.5: Proportion of personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by Service, 2023/24

Figure 2.5 consists of 4 doughnut charts split into two segments highlighting proportion of personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by service, in 2023/24.

On average at a Tri-service level 24% of personnel reported spending excessive hours on duty.

At a single service level, over a third of Royal Navy personnel (34%) reported excessive hours on duty. This is most likely due to Royal Navy personnel being away at sea and having additional duties.

Data Quality. The results in this section are based on a subset of respondents. As such, levels of precision are likely to be lower (wider confidence intervals) and are intended as an indication of the average working week.

Figure 2.6: Distribution of hours on duty of personnel by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 2.6 is a 100% stacked bar chart showing the distribution of hours on duty for Tri-service personnel by rank group, in 2023/24.

Just over six in ten (63%) Junior Other Ranks/Rates reported spending under 50 hours per week on duty. Just under three in ten (29%) Senior Officers reported spending under 50 hours per week on duty.

Around three in ten Officers report spending excessive hours on duty (28% for Senior Officers and 31% for Junior Officers). Two in ten Other Ranks/rates report excessive hours spent on duty (25% for Senior Other Ranks/Rates and 22% for Junior Other Ranks/Rates).

1. Please note time spent at work refers to time personnel spend carrying out normal work duties (Please see section 1.8 for a full definition of what this includes). While time spent on duty is a calculation of all time personnel spend at work, on call and on breaks.

2.4 Time series of working patterns, 2016/17 - 2023/24

At a Tri-service level personnel reported spending 43.1 hours per week at work, this is lower than levels reported over the past two years. However, this is a 1.4 hours increase compared to the figure reported in 2021/22.

Time spent on call has declined since 2020/21, falling from 19.1 hours to 13.2 hours this year. This is a return to levels reported in 2018/19.

Hours spent on duty reached its lowest level this year since 2016/17, with personnel on average spending 62.0 hours on duty per week.

Figure 2.7: Comparison of average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by Service, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 2.7 consists of 4 line graphs showing the average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty for Tri-service, Navy, Army and RAF personnel between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

In 2023/24, the Royal Navy reported working 44.7 hours per week this is an eight year low for the service. Despite this the Royal Navy continue to report the highest average hours spent at work, this is followed by Army and then RAF personnel.

Furthermore, hours spent on call at a Tri-service level have reached a five year low this year and are now back in line with figures reported in 2018/19. This decrease is being driven by Army personnel who reported a 4.2 hour decrease this year compared to the previous.

Royal Navy and Army personnel reported an eight year low for time spent on duty this year. This is driving the overall decrease in time spent on duty at a Tri-service level. Despite this, Royal Navy personnel continue to report spending the highest number of hours on duty compared to other services.

The Royal Navy reporting significantly higher hours at work, on call and on duty compared to other services may be due to Sea-based personnel. Sea-based personnel have additional duties which may account for this difference.

Figure 2.8: Comparison of average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by rank group, 2016/17- 2023/24

Figure 2.8 consists of 4 line graphs showing the average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Officers, Junior Officers, Senior Other Ranks/Rates and Junior Other Ranks/Rates between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Average hours spent at work by Officers this year has significantly decreased compared to 2016/17-2019/20 and figures are now back in line with 2020/21. Excluding the decrease during the 2020/21 cycle, in which the survey was in field during the COVID-19 lockdowns, time spent at work by Senior Other Ranks/Rates has remained relatively stable since 2017/18. Junior Other Ranks/Rates reported working 40.6 hours per week this year. This is a significant decrease compared to the previous three years, with figures now back in line with 2019/20 and 2018/19.

Time spent on call by Senior Officers has fluctuated over the last eight years, reaching its lowest reported level in 2017/18 (13.2 hours) and highest in 2019/20 (19.9 hours). Over the last two years this appears to have stabilised with personnel spending 15.6 hours per week on call this year. Since 2016/17, time spent on call by Junior Officers has seen an overall general increase, reaching an eight year high this year (19.0 hours). Senior Other Ranks/Rates reported an increase in time spent on call this year at 16.8 hours. This remains below the peak reported during the 2019/20 cycle, when the survey was in-field during the first national COVID-19 lockdown. Junior Other Ranks/Rates reported spending 10.3 hours per week on call this year, this is the lowest the figure has been over the last eight years.

Time spent on duty by Officers has generally followed the same trend as time spent on call, mimicking the peaks and troughs over the years. Therefore, similarly to time spent on call, time spent on duty for Junior Officers has reached an eight year high. Following the peak in 2020/21 for Junior Other Ranks/Rates, time spent on duty has decreased reaching its lowest figure this year.

3. The Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is comprised of the Royal Navy (including Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service) and the Royal Marines.

3.1 Royal Navy working patterns, 2023/24

In 2023/24, Royal Navy personnel on average worked 44.7 hours per week, this is a decrease of 4.5 hours compared to the previous year (49.2 hours in 2022/23). Within the same period, time spent on duty was 69.1 hours, a decrease from 73.5 hours in 2022/23. Hours spent on call has remained stable during this time.

Figure 3.1: Royal Navy personnel working patterns by location, 2023/24

Figure 3.1 shows a stacked bar chart showing the average hours Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call, on breaks and off duty by location, in 2023/24.

In 2023/24, sea-based personnel on average spent more hours at work, on call and on duty compared to shore-based personnel. Time spent at work has decreased for sea-based (58.0 hours) and shore-based personnel (40.3 hours), compared to last year (65.7 hours and 43.7 hours respectively). On average sea-based personnel spent 99.3 hours on duty, a decrease of 12.2 hours from 2022/23 (111.5 hours), whilst time on duty has remained stable for shore-based personnel. Overall time spent on call has remained stable since last year for both sea and shore-based personnel.

Figure 3.2: Royal Navy personnel working patterns by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 3.2 shows a stacked bar chart showing the average hours Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call, on breaks and off duty by rank group, in 2023/24.

In 2023/24, on average Junior Other Ranks/Rates spent less hours at work, on call and on duty compared to Senior Other Ranks/Rates and Officers. Senior Officers, on average spent more time on call and on duty compared to Other Ranks/Rates and Junior Officers. Senior Officers also self-reported more hours at work than Senior Other Ranks/Rates. Whilst Junior Officers and Senior Other Ranks/Rates reported similar working patterns.

Table 3.1: Working patterns of Royal Navy personnel, 2022/23 - 2023/24

	At Work			On Call			On Duty
	2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24
Royal Navy	49.2	44.7	▼	18.4	19.1		73.5	69.1	▼
Sea	65.7	58.0	▼	37.0	35.0		111.5	99.3	▼
Shore	43.7	40.3	▼	12.2	14.0		60.8	59.2
Senior Officers	52.1	49.3	▼	15.2	20.0	▲	71.7	73.6
Junior Officers	50.5	48.8		25.8	24.3		80.9	78.9
Senior Other Ranks/Rates	48.8	47.3		19.1	26.8	▲	72.9	79.4	▲
Junior Other Ranks/Rates	48.5	41.7	▼	17.3	14.5	▼	72.6	61.7	▼

Key

▲ Significant increase from 2022/23

▼ Significant decrease from 2022/23

On average, hours spent at work in 2023/24, has seen a decrease compared to the previous year, 2022/23. This is being driven by Senior Officers (49.3 hours) and Junior Other Ranks/Rates (41.7 hours), who self-reported a decrease of 2.8 hours and 6.8 hours respectively.

Time spent on duty also saw a decrease of 4.4 hours in 2023/24, with personnel now spending 69.1 hours on duty. Whilst time spent on call has remained relatively stable in 2023/24, compared to 2022/23.

Figure 3.3: Working patterns of Junior Other Ranks/Rates in the Royal Navy, 2022/23 - 2023/24

Figure 3.3 is a bar chart showing the average hours Royal Navy Junior Other Ranks/Rates spend at work, on call and on duty in 2022/23 and 2023/24. The bars show a significant decrease for average hours spent at work, on call and on duty.

In 2023/24, changes to working patterns of Royal Navy personnel are primarily being driven by Junior Other Ranks/Rates; with Junior Other Ranks/Rates reporting a decrease in time spent at work, on call and on duty.

Hours on duty saw a decrease of 10.9 hours, from 72.6 hours in 2022/23, to 61.7 hours in 2023/24. Whilst time on call saw a decrease of 2.7 hours, from 17.3 hours in 2022/23, to 14.5 hours in 2023/24.

3.2 Royal Navy excessive hours worked ¹ and spent on duty, 2023/24

Section 3.2 is based on 394 Royal Navy personnel for whom a full week’s data was available (51% of all valid responses).

Overall, 9% of Royal Navy personnel worked more than 70 hours per week.

Excessive hours worked differs greatly by location with 31% of sea-based personnel spending excessive hours at work and 2% of shore-based personnel.

Excessive hours. The proportion of personnel who worked 70 hours or more during the week surveyed.

3.4 Proportion of Royal Navy personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location, 2023/24

Figure 3.4 consists of 3 doughnut charts split into two segments highlighting proportion of personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location, in 2023/24.

In 2023/24, on average 34% of Royal Navy personnel spent more than 70 hours per week on duty.

This differs by location with 81% of sea-based personnel spending more than 70 hours per week on duty and 18% of shore-based personnel.

Data Quality. The results in this section are based on a subset of respondents. As such, levels of precision are likely to be lower (wider confidence intervals) and are intended as an indication of the average working week of Royal Navy personnel.

Figure 3.5: Distribution of hours on duty of Royal Navy personnel, 2023/24

Figure 3.5 is a 100% stacked bar chart showing the distribution of hours on duty for Royal Navy personnel by rank group, in 2023/24.

Junior Officers had the highest proportion of personnel spending over 70 hours a week on duty at 41%. Junior Other Ranks/Rates reported the lowest proportion at 31%.

Junior Other Ranks/Rates had the highest proportion of personnel spending under 50 hours per week on duty at 53%, Senior Officers had the lowest at 29%.

1. Please note time spent at work refers to time personnel spend carrying out normal work duties (Please see section 1.8 for a full definition of what this includes). While time spent on duty is a calculation of all time personnel spend at work, on call and on breaks.

3.3 Time series of Royal Navy working patterns, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 3.6: Average weekly hours Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call and on duty, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 3.6 is a line chart that shows the average time spent at work, on call and on duty by Royal Navy personnel between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Overall, time spent at work by Royal Navy personnel has fluctuated over the last eight years, reaching an all-time low this year at 44.7 hours. This is a 5.1 hour decrease from its peak in 2018/19 (49.8 hours).

In 2019/20, time spent on call reached its lowest reported figure (18.1 hours), this was immediately followed by its peak in 2020/21 (25.6 hours). Since then, it has steadily declined and appears to have stabilised over the last two years. However, figures remain significantly below pre-COVID-19 levels.

Similarly to hours spent at work, the Royal Navy reported an eight year low with time spent on duty (69.1 hours). This brings the figure back in line with the 2019/20 cycle, when COVID-19 lockdowns were first introduced.

Figure 3.7: Average weekly hours Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call and on duty by location, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 3.7 is a line chart that shows the average time Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call and on duty by location between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Sea-based and Shore-based personnel exhibit a similar pattern for time spent working; fluctuating between increasing and decreasing each year. Sea-based and Shore-based personnel reported some of their lowest hours spent at work this year with levels now back in line with 2020/21 figures.

For Sea-based personnel time spent on call has greatly fluctuated since 2016/17 reaching its highest in 2017/18 (42.3 hours) and lowest in 2019/20 (31.1 hours). Since 2021/22, time spent on call by Sea-based personnel appears to have stabilised with personnel spending 35.0 hours on call this year. Between 2016/17 and 2019/20 time spent on call for Shore-based personnel saw a general decline. In 2020/21 and 2021/22, figures increased this may be influenced by COVID-19. Since then, there has been a decline with figures now returning to pre-covid levels between 2017/18 – 2019/20.

Similarly, to time spent on call, time spent on duty by Sea-based personnel has greatly fluctuated over the last eight years. This year saw a decline with sea-based personnel now spending 99.3 hours per week on duty, bringing the figure back in line with 2019/20. This year also saw hours spent on duty by Shore-based personnel decreasing and returning to levels reported in 2019/20.

Figure 3.8: Average weekly hours Royal Navy Officers spent at work, on call and on duty by rank group, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 3.8 is a line chart that shows the average time Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Officers and Junior Officers between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Consecutive year on year changes for time spent at work by Senior Officers have remained relatively stable. Notable differences include 2021/22 which saw a decrease of 2.4 hours compared to 2020/21 (51.0 hours and 53.4 hours respectively) and 2023/24 to 2022/23, which saw a decrease of 2.8 hours (49.3 hours and 52.1 hours respectively). Junior Officers reported some of their lowest figures for time spent at work this year; however, this is not significantly lower compared to the previous year.

Hours spent on call by Senior Officers has increased this year compared to the previous year, bringing the figure back in line with pre-COVID-19 levels reported between 2016/17 and 2018/19. Meanwhile, time spent on call for Junior Officers has remained relatively stable since 2020/21, where no significant differences occurred between years.

Following a decrease in 2022/23, time spent on duty this year by Senior Officers has remained stable, this now brings the figures back in line with pre-COVID-19 levels in 2016/17 to 2018/19. Meanwhile, time spent on duty for Junior Officers has remained relatively stable since 2018/19.

Figure 3.9: Average weekly hours Royal Navy Other Ranks/Rates spent at work, on call and on duty by rank group, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 3.9 is a line chart that shows the average time Royal Navy personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Other Ranks/Rates and Junior Other Ranks/Rates between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Over the last eight years, time spent at work by Senior Other Ranks/Rates has remained relatively unchanged. Whilst Junior Other Ranks/Rates reported a significant decrease during the same period and have reached an eight year low this year (41.7 hours).

Time spent on call by Senior Other Ranks/Rates has seen a sharp increase since last year, and is at its highest since 2017/18, now bringing the figure back in line with 2016/17. Following its peak in 2020/21, for Junior Other Ranks/Rates time spent on call has been declining and has seen a significant decrease this year compared to the previous, bringing figures back in line with 2019/20.

For both Senior Other Ranks/Rates and Junior Other Ranks/Rates time spent on duty tends to follow the same trend as time spent on call, which may be due to time spent on duty encompassing time spent on call. Between 2016/17 and 2020/21 time spent on duty by Senior Other Ranks/Rates saw a general overall decline. Since 2021/22 this has fluctuated, and this year Senior Other Ranks/Rates reported some of their highest time spent on duty (79.4 hours). For Junior Other Ranks/Rates this year saw a sharp decline with personnel reporting the lowest hours spent on duty since 2016/17.

4. The Army

4.1 Army working patterns, 2023/24

In 2023/24, Army personnel on average spent 59.5 hours per week on duty, a decline of 3.9 hours from the previous year. Hours worked during the same period remain unchanged (43.0 hours in 2023/24).

Figure 4.1: Army personnel working patterns, 2023/24

Figure 4.1 is a stacked bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call, on breaks and off duty by Army personnel in 2023/24. The largest proportion of time is spent off duty (108.2 hours).

Army personnel reported working 43.0 hours this year this has remained stable since 2021/22. Hours spent on call and on duty reached the lowest they have been in five years (10.1 hours and 59.5 hours respectively), with levels now returning to figures reported in 2018/19 (9.7 hours and 59.9 hours respectively).

Figure 4.2: Army personnel working patterns by location, 2023/24

Figure 4.2 is a bar chart that shows average hours Army personnel spent at work, on call, on breaks and off duty by location in 2023/24.

Army personnel deployed on Overseas operations in 2023/24 spent the highest hours at work (54.1 hours), this was followed by personnel based Elsewhere abroad (44.8 hours) and personnel based in the United Kingdom (42.6 hours). All figures have remained stable since 2022/23.

Personnel deployed on Overseas operations also spent the most hours on call this year at 42.4 hours per week, this is a four year high. This was followed by personnel based Elsewhere abroad and personnel based in the United Kingdom (24.9 hours and 8.4 hours respectively).

This pattern further holds true for time spent on duty, with personnel deployed on Overseas operations spending on average 104.7 hours per week on duty, followed by personnel based Elsewhere abroad at 75.2 hours and personnel based in the United Kingdom at 57.5 hours per week.

Germany. The Army Basing Programme led to a reduction of personnel in Germany in 2020. As a result, breakdowns for Germany have not been included in this report since 2019/20. However, Germany responses are still included in the overall Army figures.

Figure 4.3: Army personnel working patterns by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 4.3 is a bar chart that shows average hours Army personnel spent at work, on call, on breaks and off duty by rank group in 2023/24.

In 2023/24, on average Senior Officers spent the highest number of hours at work (51.3 hours) followed by Junior Officers and Senior Other Ranks. Junior Other Ranks reported the lowest average hours spent at work (41.0 hours). For all ranks figures have remained stable since the previous year.

Junior Other Ranks spent the lowest hours on call (7.4 hours) compared to all other ranks, a decrease of 6.8 hours compared to the previous year. Junior Officers spent the most time on call at 17.0 hours per week. This figure remains unchanged since 2019/20. There was no differences in hours spent on call for Senior Officers and Senior Other Ranks.

Time spent on duty this year decreased for Senior Officers and Junior Other Ranks (70.3 hours and 54.7 hours respectively); whilst increasing for Junior Officers to a seven year high (71.8 hours). Overall, Officers spent significantly more time on duty compared to Other Ranks.

Table 4.1: Working patterns of Army personnel, 2022/23 - 2023/24

	At Work			On Call			On Duty
	2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24
Army	43.0	43.0		14.3	10.1	▼	63.4	59.5	▼
United Kingdom	42.5	42.6		13.4	8.4	▼	62.0	57.5	▼
Overseas Operations	55.4	54.1		34.3	42.4	▲	98.3	104.7	▲
Elsewhere Abroad	43.8	44.8		20.1	24.9	▲	69.9	75.2	▲
Senior Officers	51.8	51.3		17.1	14.0	▼	74.2	70.3	▼
Junior Officers	46.8	47.8		14.7	17.0		66.7	71.8	▲
Senior Other Ranks	45.2	44.0		13.6	13.6		66.3	66.4
Junior Other Ranks	40.5	41.0		14.1	7.4	▼	60.6	54.7	▼

Key

▲ Significant increase from 2022/23

▼ Significant decrease from 2022/23

In 2023/24, average hours worked by Army personnel have remained stable at 43.0 hours. Whilst average hours spent on call fell to 10.1 hours a decrease of 4.2 hours from 2022/23. Average hours spent on duty this year reached a seven year low at 59.5 hours a decrease of 3.9 hours compared to the previous year. Decreases in hours spent on call and on duty are being driven by Senior Officers and Junior Other Ranks.

Figure 4.4: Working patterns of Junior Other Ranks in the Army, 2022/23 - 2023/24

Figure 4.4 is a bar chart showing the average hours Army Junior Other Ranks spend at work, on call and on duty in 2022/23 and 2023/24. The bars show a significant decrease for average hours spent on call and on duty whilst average hours at work remain unchanged.

Junior Other Ranks reported significantly less hours on call and on duty compared to other rank groups and were the primary drivers behind the overall decreases this year. For Junior Other Ranks, hours spent on call and on duty this year (7.4 hours and 54.7 hours respectively) reached their lowest figures from 2016/17 onwards. Hours spent at work this year have remained stable compared to the previous year (41.0 hours and 40.5 hours respectively).

4.2 Army excessive hours worked ¹ and spent on duty, 2023/24

Section 4.2 is based on the 786 Army personnel for whom a full week’s data was available (46% of all valid responses).

Overall, 4% of personnel spent more than 70 hours per week at work.

19% of Army personnel deployed on Overseas operations reported working excessive hours, this was 3% for personnel based in the United Kingdom and Elsewhere abroad.

Excessive hours. Personnel who worked 70 hours or more during the week surveyed.

Figure 4.5: Proportion of Army personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location, 2023/24

Figure 4.5 consists of 4 doughnut charts split into two segments highlighting proportion of personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location, in 2023/24.

In 2023/24, 20% of Army personnel reported spending 70 or more hours on duty per week. 67% of personnel deployed on Overseas operations reported spending excessive hours on duty, this was 19% for personnel based in the United Kingdom and 31% for Elsewhere abroad.

Differences in time spent on duty may be partly due to the greater amount of time deployed personnel spend on call. Periods of off duty/stand down when on exercise or operation are defined as time on call.

Data Quality Note. The results in this section are based on a subset of respondents. As such, levels of precision are likely to be lower (wider confidence intervals) and are an indication of the working week of Army personnel.

Figure 4.6: Distribution of hours on duty for Army personnel by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 4.6 is a 100% stacked bar chart showing the distribution of hours on duty for Army personnel by rank group, in 2023/24.

29% of Junior Officers reported spending more than 70 hours per week on duty, this was 27% for Senior Officers, 21% for Senior Other Ranks and 18% for Junior Other Ranks.

68% of Junior Other Ranks reported spending under 50 hours per week on duty, for Senior Officers this was 30%.

1. Please note time spent at work refers to time personnel spend carrying out normal work duties (Please see section 1.8 for a full definition of what this includes). While time spent on duty is a calculation of all time personnel spend at work, on call and on breaks.

4.3 Time series of Army working patterns 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 4.7: Army average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 4.7 is a line chart that shows the average time spent at work, on call and on duty by Army personnel between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Time spent at work by Army personnel has remained relatively stable since 2016/17, excluding 2020/21, in which the survey was in field during COVID-19 lockdowns, with personnel reporting spending 43.0 hours per week working this year.

Whilst the survey was in field during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 national COVID-19 lockdowns, Army personnel reported some of their highest figures for time spent on call. Since then, there has been a general decline in overall hours spent on call, with figures this year returning to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2018/19.

In 2019/20, Army personnel saw an increase of average hours spent on duty, this then remained stable for the next three years (ranging between 63.4 hours and 64.0 hours). However, 2023/24 saw a 3.9 hour decline, bringing the figure back in line with 2018/19.

Figure 4.8 Army average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by location, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 4.8 is a line chart that shows the average time Army personnel spent at work, on call and on duty by location between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

For Army personnel based in the United Kingdom average hours spent at work have remained relatively stable over the last eight years, the only notable difference occurring in 2020/21 which saw a decrease of 3.1 hours compared to the previous year, during this CWP cycle the survey was in-field during national COVID-19 lockdowns.

Similarly, for personnel deployed on Overseas operations hours spent at work have remained relatively stable following a 5.4 hour decrease in 2017/18 from the previous year, this reduction may be due to UK Armed forces ceasing all combat operations in 2014/15. Other notable differences for deployed personnel include 2019/20 which saw a 5.6 hour decrease compared to the previous year; this decrease may be due to COVID-19 restrictions. Between 2016/17 and 2020/21 average hours spent at work by personnel based Elsewhere abroad showed a slight decline. However, in 2020/21, this increased by 3.3 hours and appears to have stabilised over the last two years.

For personnel based in the United Kingdom time spent on call has seen a significant decrease compared to the previous four years with figures now back in line with pre-COVID-19 levels in 2018/19. Whilst personnel based on Overseas operations and Elsewhere Abroad have seen a significant increase in hours spent on call compared to the previous three years, reporting some of their highest figures over the last eight years, this now brings figures back in line with 2019/20.

Time spent on duty has fluctuated over the last eight years for all locations, with Army personnel based in all three locations; United Kingdom, deployed on Overseas operations and Elsewhere abroad, reporting a significant decrease in 2018/19. For personnel deployed on Overseas operations this was followed by a sharp increase, reporting one of their highest figures in 2020/21. Compared to 2021/22 and 2022/23, personnel deployed on Overseas operations and Elsewhere abroad have seen a significant increase in time spent on duty with numbers back in line with 2019/20. Time spent on duty by personnel deployed on Overseas operations and Elsewhere abroad mimics time spent on call followings its peaks and trough; this may be due to time spent on duty encompassing time spent on call.

Figure 4.9: Army average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by Officers, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 4.9 is a line chart that shows the average time Army personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Officers and Junior Officers between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Average hours spent at work by Senior Officers remains unchanged this year compared to the previous. However, this is a 1.7 hour increase from 2021/22. Average hours spent at work by Junior Officers remains relatively unchanged since 2017/18.

Time spent on call by Senior Officers saw a general increase between the years 2017/18 and 2019/20 - when it hit its peak. In 2021/22, there was a sharp decline in hours spent on call. This may be due to the survey being in field during COVID-19 lockdowns. The following two years time spent on call saw a general increase with Senior Officers reporting one of their highest figures in 2022/23. This upward trend was ended by a significant decrease in 2023/24. Following a significant increase in 2020/21, time spent on call for Junior Officers remains relatively unchanged since.

Senior Officers reported spending significantly less hours on duty this year compared to the previous year. This now brings the figure back in line with 2021/22. However, this is significantly below figures reported in 2019/20. Junior Officers saw an increase in time spent on duty this year compared to the previous two years, with Junior Officers reporting one of their highest figures over the last eight years; this now brings the figure back in line with 2020/21.

Figure 4.10: Army average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by Other Ranks, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 4.10 is a line chart that shows the average time Army personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Other Ranks and Junior Other Ranks between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Time spent at work has remained relatively stable for Other Ranks since 2017/18, with both Senior Other Ranks and Junior Other Ranks reporting a decrease in 2020/21, and figures stabilising the subsequent year.

In 2019/20 Senior Other Ranks reported a significant increase in time spent on call, followed by a sharp decline in 2020/21 (11.2 hours). Since then, figures have stabilised with personnel reporting 13.6 hours on call this year. Time spent on call has fluctuated for Junior Other Ranks over the years. In 2019/20 and 2020/21, Junior Other Ranks reported a significant increase in time spent on call (17.3 hours and 21.7 hours respectively), Since then it has slowly declined and in 2023/24 Junior Other Ranks reported one of their lowest figures (7.4 hours respectively).

Since 2019/20 time spent on duty by Senior Other Ranks has fluctuated greatly year on year with Senior Other Ranks reporting their highest figure in 2019/20, which was immediately followed by their lowest. However, since 2022/23 time spent on duty by Senior Other Ranks appears to have stabilised with personnel spending 64.4 hours on duty this year. Time spent on duty for Junior Other Ranks has seen a significant decrease this year, with Junior Other Ranks reporting spending some of their lowest hours on duty, bringing the figure back in line with 2018/19.

5. The RAF

5.1 RAF working patterns 2023/24

On average, RAF personnel spent 41.6 hours per week at work in 2023/24, this is a decline compared to 2022/23 (42.6 hours). Hours spent on call and on duty have remained stable compared to the previous year.

Figure 5.1: RAF working patterns, 2023/24

Figure 5.1 is a stacked bar chart that shows the average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by RAF personnel, in 2023/24. The largest proportion of time is spent off duty (106.9 hours).

This year RAF personnel spent 61.0 hours on duty, this remains the same as the previous year. However, this is a decrease of 3.6 hours compared to 2021/22. Time spent on call (14.7 hours) remains unchanged since 2019/20. Average hours spent at work have been declining since 2021/22, with personnel spending 41.6 hours per week at work in 2023/24. This is now back in line with figures reported in 2020/21.

Figure 5.2: RAF working patterns by location, 2023/24

Figure 5.2 is a stacked bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by location for RAF personnel, in 2023/24.

Personnel deployed on Overseas operations spent the most hours at work this year (50.7 hours), this was followed by personnel based Elsewhere abroad (44.9 hours) and personnel based in the United Kingdom (41.0 hours). This also holds true for time spent on duty with personnel deployed on Overseas operations averaging 105.8 hours per week, this was followed by personnel based Elsewhere abroad and the United Kingdom (65.0 hours and 59.4 hours respectively).

The large difference in time spent on duty by personnel deployed on Overseas operations compared to RAF personnel based in other locations may be largely due to the nature of work during Overseas operations, coupled with the high number of hours deployed personnel spend on call.

Figure 5.3: RAF working patterns by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 5.3 is a stacked bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call, breaks and off duty per week by rank group for RAF personnel, in 2023/24.

Senior Officers reported the highest hours spent at work in 2023/24 (49.4 hours) while Junior Other Ranks reported the lowest (38.5 hours). Junior Officers reported the highest time spent on call (17.7 hours) compared to all ranks. There were no other significant differences in time spent on call between the remaining rank groups (ranging from 14.2 hours – 14.3 hours). Senior Officers reported spending more hours on duty (67.1 hours) this year compared to Other Ranks (62.4 hours for Senior Other Ranks and 57.9 hours for Junior Other Ranks). Furthermore, Junior Other Ranks reported spending the least amount of hours on duty.

Table 5.1 Working patterns of RAF personnel by rank group, 2022/24

	At Work			On Call			On Duty
	2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24		2022/23	2023/24
RAF	42.6	41.6	▼	14.6	14.7		61.8	61.0
United Kingdom	42.2	41.0	▼	13.1	13.7		59.9	59.4
Overseas Operations	54.3	50.7	▼	59.9	49.6	▼	119.3	105.8	▼
Elsewhere Abroad	43.9	44.9		16.0	15.8		63.9	65.0
Senior Officers	50.3	49.4		9.6	14.2	▲	63.6	67.1	▲
Junior Officers	44.8	42.7	▼	11.9	17.7	▲	61.0	64.8	▲
Senior Other Ranks	42.9	43.7		13.1	14.2		60.5	62.4
Junior Other Ranks	40.3	38.5	▼	17.0	14.3		62.3	57.9	▼

Key

▲ Significant increase from 2022/23

▼ Significant decrease from 2022/23

In 2023/24, RAF personnel reported spending 41.6 hours at work, this is a decrease of 1.1 hours compared to the previous year (42.6 hours). However, for RAF personnel as a whole time spent on call and on duty this year (14.7 hours and 61.0 hours respectively) remains unchanged compared to 2022/23.

Notable significant increases include, time spent on call for Officers this this year (14.2 hours and 17.7 hours respectively) compared to the previous year (9.6 hours and 11.9 hours respectively). This may have also influenced the increase in time spent on duty this year for Officers. This may be due to time spent on duty including time spent on call.

Figure 5.4: Working patterns of RAF Junior Other Ranks, 2022/23 - 2023/24

Figure 5.4 is a bar chart that shows average hours spent at work, on call and on duty by RAF Junior Other Ranks in 2022/23 and 2023/24. The bars show a decrease in average hours spent at work whilst average hours on call remain unchanged.

Junior Other Ranks reported spending 38.5 hours per week at work, this is a decrease of 1.8 hours compared to 2022/23 (40.3 hours). Hours spent on call this year have remained stable compared to the previous year (14.3 hours and 17.0 hours). Time spent on duty has decreased from 62.3 hours in 2022/23, to 57.9 hours in 2023/24.

5.2 RAF excessive hours worked ¹ and spent on duty, 2023/24

Section 5.2 is based on the 591 RAF personnel for whom a full week’s data was available (55% of all valid responses).

Overall, 2% of RAF personnel worked excessive hours in 2023/24.

Excessive hours worked differ by location with 9% of personnel deployed on Overseas operations working excessive hours, 2% based in the United Kingdom and 3% Elsewhere abroad.

Excessive hours. Personnel who worked 70 hours or more during the week surveyed.

Figure 5.5: Proportion of RAF personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location in 2023/24

Figure 5.5 consists of 4 doughnut charts split into two segments highlighting the proportion of personnel spending more than 70 hours on duty for the week surveyed by location, in 2023/24.

A higher proportion of personnel deployed overseas report spending excessive hours on duty (75%). For personnel based in the United Kingdom this is 23% and for Elsewhere abroad this is 27%.

This difference may be due to personnel deployed on Overseas operations spending significantly more time on call (49.6 hours) compared to other locations. Periods of off duty/ stand down when on exercise or operation are defined as time on call.

Data Quality Note. The results in this section are based on a subset of respondents. As such, levels of precision are likely to be lower (wider confidence intervals) and are an indication of the working week of RAF personnel

Figure 5.6: Distribution of hours on duty of RAF personnel by rank group, 2023/24

Figure 5.6 is a 100% stacked bar chart showing the distribution of hours on duty for RAF personnel by rank group, in 2023/24.

The proportion of personnel spending excessive hours on duty is relatively similar (ranging from 20%-27%).

28% of Senior Officers reported spending under 50 hours per week on duty, this was 46% for Senior Other Ranks, 54% for Junior Officers and 57% Junior Other Ranks.

1. Please note time spent at work refers to time personnel spend carrying out normal work duties (Please see section 1.8 for a full definition of what this includes). While time spent on duty is a calculation of all time personnel spend at work, on call and on breaks.

5.3 Time series of RAF working patterns, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 5.7: RAF average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 5.7 is a line chart that shows the average time spent at work, on call and on duty by RAF personnel between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Average hours spent at work by RAF personnel year on year have varied. This year personnel reported spending 41.6 hours per week at work, this is a significant decrease compared to the previous two years. However, this now brings the figure back in line with 2020/21.

Following an increase of 3.4 hours in 2019/20 from the previous year, time spent on call by RAF personnel has remained stable (ranging between 14.6 hours – 16.3 hours).

Time spent on duty has remained relatively stable over the last eight years, with the exception of 2019/20 and 2021/22, both years saw a significant increase in time spent on duty compared to the previous years.

Figure 5.8: RAF average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by location, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 5.8 is a line chart that shows the average time RAF personnel spent at work, on call and on duty by location between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Average hours worked by RAF personnel based in the United Kingdom has varied since 2016/17. In 2023/24, personnel reported working 41.0 hours per week, this is a significant decrease compared to the previous two years and now brings the figures back in line with 2020/21. For personnel deployed on Overseas operations, time spent at work this year saw a decrease of 3.6 hours compared to the previous year, this is now back in line with findings from 2017/18 to 2021/22. For personnel based Elsewhere abroad, average hours worked have remained relatively stable since 2016/17, excluding 2020/21 which saw a decrease, this may be due to the survey being in the field during the national COVID-19 lockdown.

Following an increase of 2.4 hours in 2019/20, time spent on call by United Kingdom based personnel has remained relatively stable. Similar to time spent at work, time spent on call this year for personnel deployed on Overseas operations, saw a decrease of 10.3 hours, this is now back in line with findings from 2016/17 – 2021/22. For personnel based Elsewhere abroad, time spent on call remains unchanged compared to the previous year. However, this is a 3.0 hours decrease compared to 2021/22 and now brings figures back in line with 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Personnel based in the United Kingdom reported spending 59.4 hours per week on duty this year, this remains unchanged compared to the previous year. However, this is a decrease of 3.5 hours compared to 2021/22, this now brings the figure back in line with 2019/20 and 2020/21. For personnel deployed on Overseas operations, time spent on duty has significantly decreased compared to 2021/22 and 2022/23 when some of the highest hours spent on duty were reported, this is now back in line with 2016/17 to 2020/21. Following an increase in 2021/22 of 6.8 hours, time spent on duty for personnel based Elsewhere abroad has remained relatively stable.

Figure 5.9: RAF average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by Officers, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 5.9 is a line chart that shows the average time RAF personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Officers and Junior Officers between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Following a decrease of 2.7 hours in 2020/21, average hours spent at work by Senior Officers has remained relatively stable since. This year Junior Officers reported some of their lowest hours spent at work (42.7 hours), this is a significant decrease compared to the past two years.

Since 2016/17, average hours spent on call by Senior Officers has remained relatively stable, excluding the years 2020/21 and 2022/23 which saw a significant decrease. In 2023/24, on average Junior Officers spent 17.7 hours on call, this is one of the highest figures reported since 2016/17. This is significantly higher than the figures reported for 2021/22 and 2022/23, bringing the figure back in line with 2019/20 and 2020/21.

Since 2019/20, average hours spent on duty by Senior Officers has fluctuated year on year, with personnel spending 67.1 hours on duty in 2023/24, this is an increase of 3.5 hours compared to 2022/23 and a decrease of 3.5 hours compared to 2021/22. Junior Officers saw an increase in time spent on duty this year compared to the previous year, this now brings figures back in line with 2019/20-2021/22.

Figure 5.10: RAF average weekly hours spent at work, on call and on duty by Other Ranks, 2016/17 - 2023/24

Figure 5.10 is a line chart that shows the average time RAF personnel spent at work, on call and on duty for Senior Other Ranks and Junior Other Ranks between 2016/17 and 2023/24.

Average hours spent at work by Senior Other Ranks remains unchanged since 2016/17. Junior Other Ranks reported spending 38.5 hours per week at work this year, this is a significant decrease compared to 2022/23 and 2021/22, this is now back in line with 2020/21.

In 2018/19, Senior Other Ranks reported one of their lowest figures since 2016/17 for time spent on call, this was subsequently followed by one of the highest figures in the following year. This was then followed by a significant decline in 2021/22. However, since 2022/23, time spent on call by Senior Other Ranks has appeared to stabilise with personnel reporting 14.2 hours spent on call this year. For Junior Other Ranks time spent on call has remained relatively stable since 2016/17, excluding 2021/22 which saw a significant increase, this may be due to the survey being in field during COVID-19.

Time spent on duty by Other Ranks tends to follow the same pattern as time spent on call. Therefore, as was the case with time spent on call, Senior Other Ranks reported one of their lowest figures in 2018/19 for hours spent on duty, followed by their highest in 2019/20. Following a significant decline in 2020/21 time spent on duty for Senior Other Ranks stabilised in 2022/23. Between 2016/17 and 2020/21, time spent on duty by Junior Other Ranks remained stable; 2021/22 and 2022/23 saw a significant increase. However, this year figures have returned to what was previously reported between 2016/17 and 2020/21.

6. Methodology

6.1 The questionnaire

In addition to the CWP paper survey, an online version of CWP was introduced in the later phase of the second wave of 2020/21 to collect responses from service personnel. Since then, paper and online survey were both used to collect responses throughout the two waves of data collection. Approximately half the personnel in the sample were sent a questionnaire in October 2023, the other half were sent a questionnaire in January 2024. Whilst both paper and online survey were offered to personnel from the same sample, some points of contacts had requested for an online option only, relevant personnel were only sent an online survey. Data collection for the survey ran from October 2023 up to March 2024.

The CWP survey includes a seven day diary; each day is divided into four periods of six hours. Respondents were asked to indicate time spent at ‘work’, ‘on breaks’, ‘on call’ and ‘off duty’ for each of these periods. Personnel were provided with guidance on how different activities should be recorded. The survey is confidential rather than anonymous. An individual’s unique Service number is used to allow responses to be linked to demographic data held on the Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA). Personally identifiable data are only available to a small group of civilian researchers working on the analysis and report production.

6.2 The sample and respondents

The target population are UK regular personnel who are full-time, trained strength. It excludes untrained personnel, those on long term absence, Special Forces, Gurkhas, reservists and personnel ranked above OF6. There were a number of other minor exclusions arising from the practicalities of running the survey e.g. those with invalid address data. Address data for personnel in the sample were obtained from the JPA.

Valid response rates by Service 2023/24

	Sample size	All valid responses	Valid response rate
Tri-service	26,472	3,346	13%
Royal Navy	8,602	768	9%
Army	8,427	1,459	17%
RAF	4,456	1,063	24%
Deployed surveys trial	4,987	56	1%

	Paper valid responses	Online valid responses
Tri-service	484	2,806
Royal Navy	147	621
Army	203	1,256
RAF	134	929

A‘valid response’ refers to a returned questionnaire with at least one usable day within the 7 day diary.

The total CWP sample consisted of 26,472 personnel. A stratified simple random sampling process was used to select the sample. Stratification was by Service (Royal Navy, Army and RAF), rank group (Senior Officers, Junior Officers, Senior Ranks/Rates and Junior Ranks/Rates) and broad location. For the Royal Navy, the locations were at sea and shore. For the Army, the locations were United Kingdom, Germany, Overseas operations, and Elsewhere abroad. For the RAF, the locations were United Kingdom, Overseas operations and Elsewhere abroad. 2,806 valid responses were received from the online survey. Combining the responses from the online and paper surveys, the response rate this year (13%) has remained similar to last year (14%). The deployed surveys trial response rate may have been overestimated due to a continual circulation of an online link to the survey, and has been calculated only from the initial, known sample size.

6.3 Impact of COVID-19 on CWP

CWP survey 2020/21 was in field November 2020 to June 2021, during a time of national restrictions, imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and two national lockdowns which may have influenced results. The CWP Survey 2021/22 included a new question asking whether COVID-19 had impacted on working patterns. Since 2022/23, any COVID-19 analysis conducted has not been reported in the accompanying reference tables. This is due to insufficient data not producing meaningful results. Please see the background quality report for more detail. Comparisons of results by this question for previous years are still included in the reference tables.

6.4 Full introduction of online survey

An online version of the survey was introduced in the second wave of CWP 2020/21 to improve response rates following feedback on the difficulties distributing paper questionnaires during lockdowns. This year, the online survey is utilised in both waves and distributed to all personnel in the sample. The difference in the mode of survey instrument might have an impact on the responses we captured. Considering that, results from paper survey and online survey were analysed both separately and as a combined dataset. This report focuses on the combined results of both paper and online responses. More detail is provided in the Background Quality Report.

6.5 Germany

In line with the announcement of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) of 2010, the Army Basing Programme (ABP) was established to rebase the British Army from Germany to the UK by 2020. Large numbers of personnel moved from Germany back to the UK over the summer of 2019. This led to very low levels of response from Germany. As a result, reports since 2019/20 do not include any breakdowns for Germany, although responses are included in the overall Army and Rank group averages.

6.6 Personnel deployed overseas on operations

For the Army and RAF, the CWP survey measures the working patterns of personnel deployed on overseas Operations. During 2014, the UK Armed Forces reduced its military presence in Afghanistan from over 5,000 personnel to less than 500. In recent years, deployments have been more dispersed over a wider range of locations. For more information please see the MOD Annual Report and Accounts. The survey process to select samples, print and dispatch questionnaires can take several months. This, coupled with the high mobility of deployed personnel means many will have moved locations by the time the questionnaires arrive.

Number of personnel deployed on Overseas Operations returning a valid Continuous Working Patterns questionnaire, broken down by Service

	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
Army	143	122	55	85	205	190	87	50
RAF	189	139	38	147	78	120	27	6
Total	332	261	93	222	283	310	114	56

The reduction in the number of personnel deployed and the difficulties making contact with those who are, has led to a reduction in the number of responses from deployed personnel in recent years. Following a large decrease in responses from those deployed on overseas Operations in 2018/19, we have trialled sending batches of unnamed questionnaires to points of contact in large deployed locations over the past three years.

Although this has increased responses, numbers are still relatively low and so estimates for personnel deployed on operations Overseas will have wider confidence intervals.

In 2021/22, a separate questionnaire was created and sent to deployed locations for distribution to increase response rates. The questionnaires were sent unnamed, in batches to deployed locations for distribution, in addition to the ones sent to identified deployed personnel from the main sample. In 2022/23, we trialled sending an online link to access the survey to overseas points of contact to circulate among deployed personnel. Through named points of contact, we then periodically recirculated a link for onward distribution for those in a local unit meeting the eligibility criteria. Because of this, the deployed response rate may have been overestimated. The difference in the working patterns of respondents in the deployed surveys trial and those deployed selected in the main sample might have an impact on the responses we captured. Considering that, results from the deployed surveys trial were analysed both separately and as a combined dataset with the main deployed sample. This report focuses on the combined results of deployed personnel in both the main sample and the trial. More detail is provided in the Background Quality Report.

6.7 Margins of error

The sample was designed to provide sufficient responses to yield estimates with a margin of error of approximately +/- 0.80 hours for each single Service average weekly hours worked. This was approximately met for Royal Navy and Army. However, the margin of error of hours worked for RAF was +/- 0.56 hours. For the overall total and the three single Services, levels of precision were lower (wider confidence intervals) for on duty and on call averages. Margins of error ranged from +/- 0.91 for Army On Call averages to +/- 1.38 hours for Royal Navy On Call averages.

6.8 Weighting the data

Due to the sample design and the differences in prevalence of non-response between Service, rank group and broad location, the distribution of characteristics among CWP respondents does not reflect the distribution of the trained, regular UK Armed Forces population. Therefore, responses have been weighted by Service, rank group and broad location in order to correct for the bias caused by over or under representation.

The weights are calculated simply by: Population size of strata (p)/Number of responses within strata (r).

Weighting in this way assumes missing data are missing at random (MAR) only within strata. This means we assume that within strata, the working patterns of non-respondents do not differ (on average) to the working patterns of respondents. If those who did not respond have different working patterns to those who did, then the observations in this report will not be representative of the working patterns of trained, regular UK Armed Forces, rather, the observations would only represent the working patterns of the responding population. Non-response that is directly related to individual working patterns will lead to bias within these survey results. For example, those busiest and hence working longer hours may be less likely to complete the survey.

6.9 Analysis

The automated data cleaning rules are set out below:

1. If a respondent has recorded they are on annual leave or sick leave but has also filled in some hours, we ignore the hours and assume the leave marker is true.

2. For Monday to Friday, if a respondent has recorded they are on duty but has not filled out any hours in the boxes, we change the leave marker to show them as being on annual leave. Anyone on annual leave will not be used in the calculations, as we are only interested in people who were working a ‘normal’ week, with no annual leave.

3. On Saturday and Sunday, if a respondent has recorded they are on duty but has not filled out any hours in the boxes, we change the leave marker to show them as being on weekend leave (we feel that this is a reasonable assumption to make).

4. On Saturday and Sunday, if a respondent has recorded they are on weekend leave, we make sure they have 24 hours off duty recorded for that day.

5. If a respondent has recorded they were on weekend leave from Monday to Friday (not a valid option on the questionnaire), we change the leave code to show annual leave.

6. If the total hours for a day add up to between 23 and 25 hours then we allow that day in the calculations without cleansing. We see this as an acceptable margin of error. Any totals that fall outside this margin will not be used in the calculations.

Many personnel returned questionnaires which included leave days or days that had to be discarded because of inconsistent or missing data. If analysis was restricted to only those questionnaires that cover a full working week, results would be based on much less data and confidence intervals would be considerably wider. The methodology used is based upon a ‘notional’ week made up of the average Monday, the average Tuesday,…, the average Sunday.

6.10 Rounding

Where rounding has been used, totals and sub-totals have been rounded separately and so may not equal the sums of their rounded parts.

6.11 Revisions

There are no planned revisions of this report nor are there any revisions within the main report. Figures may have been revised in previous reports and so may not match previously published figures.

6.12 Statistical comparisons

In order to detect any statistical differences in working patterns between the current year and the previous year, a series of z-tests were conducted at the 95% confidence level.

If a statistical difference is found it means that the difference between years is unlikely to be the result of random variation and is therefore indicative of a genuine change in hours spent at ‘work’, ‘on duty’ or ‘on call’ when comparing the averages reported in different time periods e.g. 2020/21 vs. 2023/24, 2022/23 vs. 2023/24. It does not mean that the change is necessarily large or substantively “important”.

Non-sampling errors such as non-response, timing of response and the location of respondents within the broad location should also be kept in mind when interpreting the results here.

It is important to note that the absence of a statistically significant difference between years does not necessarily mean that no difference is expected to exist between populations. Simply that, given the number of respondents, the detected difference is too small for us to be confident that a difference of this size could not have arisen due to chance variation in the survey process.

7. Glossary

Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) Provides independent advice to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence on pay and changes for members of the Naval, Military and Air Forces of the Crown.

Breaks Are meal breaks during periods of work.

Excessive hours Refers to a working week of 70 hours or more.

Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) Is the system used by the Armed Forces to deal with matters of pay, leave and other personal administrative tasks.

Junior Officers Armed Forces personnel with a NATO Rank of OF1 to OF2.

Junior Ranks/Rates Armed Forces personnel with a NATO Rank of OR1 to OR4.

Missing at random (MAR) Statistical theory that states those who did not respond to a question do not differ from those who did respond.

MOD Ministry of Defence.

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Royal Navy Comprises the Royal Navy (including Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service) and the Royal Marines combined.

Non-response Refers either to a person who although sampled and sent a questionnaire did not provide details of their working patterns, or to a respondent who did not complete a question.

Off duty Not at work, on breaks or on call.

Officers In the CWP survey, this refers to Officers with a NATO Rank of OF1 to OF6.

On call Includes all time when available as necessary, including all time away at sea, time spent on exercise or operations (including periods of off duty / stand down) and fully kitted for immediate call out.

On duty All time spent at work, on breaks and on call.

Ranks/Rates Ranks are members of the Royal Marines, Army and RAF who are not Officers. The equivalent group in the Royal Navy are known as ‘Ratings’.

RAF Royal Air Force.

RM Royal Marines.

RN Royal Navy

Senior Officers Armed Forces personnel with a NATO Rank of OF3 to OF6.

Senior Ranks/Rates Armed Forces personnel with a NATO Rank of OR6 to OR9.

Single Services Royal Navy, Army and RAF.

Statistically significant Refers to the result of a statistical test in which there is evidence of a difference in average weekly hours spent at work, on call or on duty between the averages reported in different time period/Services/ rank groups, that is unlikely to be the result of random variation.

Statistical tests Refers to those tests which are carried out to see if any evidence exists for a difference that is unlikely to be the result of random variation, in working patterns between the averages reported in different time period/Services/ rank groups.

Unsociable hours Are any hours worked between 00:00 and 06:00 Monday to Friday, any hours worked between 18:00 and 24:00 Monday to Friday, and any hours worked on Saturday and Sunday.

Work Includes all time spent on core activities, secondary duties, compulsory fitness training, organised sports and representational activities, but excludes breaks.

Weighting Refers to weights that are applied to the respondent data set (by Service, rank group and broad location) in order to make the data more representative of the population of interest.

z-test Statistical tests based on a standardised distribution which allows comparison between years for populations of different sizes.

8. Further Information

8.1 Contact us

Defence Statistics welcome feedback on our statistical products. If you have any comments or questions about this publication or about our statistics in general, you can contact us as follows:

Analysis Surveys, Analysis Directorate Email: Analysis-Surveys-Enquiries@mod.gov.uk

If you require information which is not available within this or other available publications, you may wish to submit a Request for Information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to the Ministry of Defence. For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/make-a-freedom-of-information-request/the-freedom-ofinformation-act

If you wish to correspond by mail, our postal address is:

Analysis Surveys, Analysis Directorate
Ministry of Defence, Main Building
Floor 3, Zone M
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB