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Keeping records of workers' overtime can be difficult if businesses do not have a system put in place to deal with the resulting paperwork.
But by investing in lever arch files , firms could process overtime requests and update payroll logs much more efficiently, saving time and avoiding hassle.
Research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that almost two billion (1,968 million) hours of unpaid overtime were worked last year - enough to create more than a million extra full-time jobs.
Analysis from the organisation revealed that 5.3 million employees carried out an average of 7.2 hours of unpaid overtime per week in 2011, which is worth around £5,300 a year.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, commented: "The heroic amount of extra unpaid hours put in by millions of workers make a vital - but often unsung - contribution to the UK economy."
However, he pointed out that the trend of 'presenteeism' - the idea that workers should be in the office whether they are actually carrying out their duties effectively or not - is adding to unpaid overtime, so a change in work practices may be prudent for some companies.
"No-one wants to see us to become a nation of clock-watchers. But a more sensible and grown up attitude to working time could cut out needless unpaid hours and help more people into work," Mr Barber added.
By using wall planners and company diaries, staff could jot down any overtime they do and submit accurate forms to their payroll department so they receive the right amount of pay each month.
Meanwhile, director-general of the Association of British Insurers Otto Thoresen has told a BBC podcast that executive pay needs to become more transparent and simple, in line with prime minister David Cameron's suggestions.