Under the Working Time Directive, workers' weekly working hours are limited to an average of 48 hours. However, a clause in the Directive allows workers to choose to work a longer week by signing an opt-out agreement. Ministers at the EU Employment Council reached an agreement on 10 June 2008 retaining the UK's 48-hour week opt-out, but restricting employees to working a 60 hour maximum working week averaged out over 3 months so that they can work longer hours during busy periods. The ruling is unlikely to be implemented until late 2008 and not before it has been passed by the European Parliament. Once in force, Employers will not be permitted to ask workers to sign an opt-out during the first month of their contract. After this time, workers have the right not to be dismissed or subjected to a detriment because of refusing to enter an opt-out or for subsequently withdrawing from an opt-out agreement.
TLT Solicitors