Employment Law Update (July 2008)
Working Time opt-out set to stay
Workers in the UK could retain their right to opt out of the
maximum 48 hour working week, if a package agreed by ministers in
Europe in June becomes law.
The UK's "opt out" provisions have been attacked by other EU
members for many years, but a package of proposals was agreed by
ministers during June which will allow it to remain in place –
subject to certain conditions.
Among the proposed conditions are:
- No employee may sign an "opt out" within the first month in a
job;
- An absolute maximum of 60 working hours per week, but this is
subject to national regulation.
The proposals have still to be approved by the European
Parliament, and are unlikely to come into force until Autumn
2009.
The changes are likely to affect how employers operate
the "opt out" and Mentor consultants will advise on specific action
you should take as soon as it is clear how the law will work. For
all Working-Time enquiries, please call the Mentor Employment Law
Advice Service on 0800 634 7000 or contact your
Employment Law Consultant direct.
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