Working Time
by Sarah
A new survey has revealed that the number of people working over 48 hours a week has risen from 30% in 2002 to 36% in 2007.
The importance of the 48 hour week of course comes from the Working Time Regulations (WTR) and directly from Europe. The UK is more unique, as it currently has the 48 hour opt out where employees can agree to work in excess of the 48 hours in writing. There is much dislike from Europe about this provision in our Regulations which is not in the Directive but whilst it may not be here to stay, it is here for the time being.
It is important to remember that staff who could be working in excess of 48 hours on a regular basis should be asked to sign an opt out to prevent Tribunal Claims. Without the opt out employers could be in breach of the WTR.
The survey indicates that UK staff are working as much as one full day more than they did a decade ago when only 26% of their counterparts worked in excess of 28 hours. It is to be remembered of course that the WTR only came into force during that period so it is interesting to note that despite the WTR, we are actually working longer. This of course impacts on our work/life balance.
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‘more unique’?
Richard said at September 5th, 2007 at 6:31 am