CBI: 'Working time directive opt-out advantage for UK'
Jun 23 2008
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The UK is given a competitive advantage by Britain's option to allow workers' to opt-out of the European working time directive, it is reported.
Under rules in the UK, employees are given the choice to work more than the 48 hours dictated in other EU countries.
According to Louise Morgan, senior policy adviser in the employment and employee relations team at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the ability to decide how many hours to work gives flexibility to both workers and their employers.
'What's nice about it is that it's about workers having the right to choose their own working hours and employers have the flexibility to respond to peaks in demand,' she comments.
In addition, the UK's ability to provide longer-working employees means that more businesses choose to be based in Britain, Morgan said.
The UK has chosen to opt-out of regulation imposed by the EU which restricts the number of hours staff can work each week to 48.
Figures reported by the BBC show that in Europe both Greek and British staff work the longest hours, at 45 per week.
Under rules in the UK, employees are given the choice to work more than the 48 hours dictated in other EU countries.
According to Louise Morgan, senior policy adviser in the employment and employee relations team at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the ability to decide how many hours to work gives flexibility to both workers and their employers.
'What's nice about it is that it's about workers having the right to choose their own working hours and employers have the flexibility to respond to peaks in demand,' she comments.
In addition, the UK's ability to provide longer-working employees means that more businesses choose to be based in Britain, Morgan said.
The UK has chosen to opt-out of regulation imposed by the EU which restricts the number of hours staff can work each week to 48.
Figures reported by the BBC show that in Europe both Greek and British staff work the longest hours, at 45 per week.
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