Employer groups calls on government to fight opt-out vote

Employers groups including the British Chambers of Commerce and the Confederation of British Industry have called on the government to fight a European Union vote that could see the end of the UK's opt-out on the Working Time Directive.

According to Management Today, MEPs voted 421 to 273 abolish the opt-out, meaning employees would not be allowed to work more than a maximum of 48 hours.

The BCC's director-general David Frost said imposing limits on workers' timesheets "sends the wrong signals" during an economic downturn.

"We need to show that Europe, and the UK in particular, is open for business," he said.

John Cridland of the CBI called on the government to defend the opt-out because many people want to work longer hours and "should be able to do so if they choose".

DLA Piper analyst Jonathan Exten-Wright told Management Today that the change could cost British businesses millions covering the hours of existing employees with agency staff or new recruits.

The Working Time Directive originally came into effect in October 1998.

Automate Timesheet & Expense Management with Atlantic Global’s OnDemand Software

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