Maximum 48-hour working week could be imposed

Maximum 48-hour working week could be imposed

25.9.2008

Employees in the UK could only be allowed to work a maximum of 48 hours per week if trade union leaders get their way.

They have called for a 48-hour cap on the working week after the government chose not to join with the European Union's time directive restricting the number of hours people can legally work.

This decision is soon to be under review and a result will be reached by the end of the year, the Financial Times reports.

Union Unite said that change was necessary to protect vulnerable workers, however David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Maintaining the UK's opt-out from the working-time directive must be an absolute priority for the government."

It was reported earlier this week that many Brits feel they need to do overtime before and after going away on holiday to make up for any work they missed while away.

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