|
The ability of UK employers to allow
employees to opt out from the European
Working Time Directive is set to continue.
This means that, where employees wish,
they will still be able to work more than
48 hours a week. The European Parliament
had wanted to scrap the opt out.
Employment Relations Minister Pat
McFadden said:
"We refused to be pushed into a bad
deal for Britain. We have said
consistently that we will not give up the
opt out and we have delivered on that
pledge.
Everyone has the right to basic
protections surrounding the hours that
they work, but it is also important that
they have the right to choose those hours.
In the UK and many other Member States,
choice over working hours has operated
successfully for many years. The current
economic climate makes it more important
than ever that people continue to have the
right to put more money in their pockets
by working longer hours if they choose to
do so."
For more information on the operation
of the working time regulations please
visit the Business Link guidance below.
Internet links:
Press release
Business Link guidance |
