Menu
26/06/2003
CBI boss urges government to reject ‘nanny state’ hours
The CBI has urged the government to protect the right of UK employees to work more than 48 hours a week if they wish to do so.
A CBI report found that many employers wanted to keep the freedom to ask their staff to opt out of the weekly hours limit, set out in the EU working time directive, in order to keep down costs and mitigate labour shortages.
Director-General of the CBI, Digby Jones, said he had written to Chancellor Gordon Brown and Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt warning that the issue is "the next test of the government's stated commitment to labour market flexibility".
The CBI-Pertemps survey of 400 UK firms revealed that three out of five said removal of the right would have "a significant or severe" impact on business. Companies said it would also undermine their ability to meet customer needs, respond to demand or launch new commercial ventures.
Mr Jones, who spent yesterday in Brussels lobbying on the issue, also accused trade unions of misrepresenting their members by campaigning for further restrictions on hours. The CBI report claimed there is no evidence that a significant number of employees want to lose the opt-out and some firms believed removal would cause staff resentment.
The report suggested that 18% of staff regularly use an opt-out in companies from all parts of the economy, with the greatest use among smaller firms.
Mr Jones added: "This is about choice. People should have a right to say 'no' to long hours and the directive rightly gives them that protection. But they don't want unions and politicians telling them when they can work or for how long. That would be the over-zealous interference of the nanny state.
"Further restrictions on working time would be a kick in the teeth for many firms, particularly smaller ones. The move would inflict serious damage on our highly successful flexible labour market by increasing costs and exacerbating skills shortages.”
The European Commission will review the individual's right to opt out by November this year, raising fears of another increase in labour regulation.
Introduced in 1998, in addition to working hours, the working time directive sets minimum standards on holiday entitlement, holiday pay and rest breaks for employees.
(SP)
A CBI report found that many employers wanted to keep the freedom to ask their staff to opt out of the weekly hours limit, set out in the EU working time directive, in order to keep down costs and mitigate labour shortages.
Director-General of the CBI, Digby Jones, said he had written to Chancellor Gordon Brown and Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt warning that the issue is "the next test of the government's stated commitment to labour market flexibility".
The CBI-Pertemps survey of 400 UK firms revealed that three out of five said removal of the right would have "a significant or severe" impact on business. Companies said it would also undermine their ability to meet customer needs, respond to demand or launch new commercial ventures.
Mr Jones, who spent yesterday in Brussels lobbying on the issue, also accused trade unions of misrepresenting their members by campaigning for further restrictions on hours. The CBI report claimed there is no evidence that a significant number of employees want to lose the opt-out and some firms believed removal would cause staff resentment.
The report suggested that 18% of staff regularly use an opt-out in companies from all parts of the economy, with the greatest use among smaller firms.
Mr Jones added: "This is about choice. People should have a right to say 'no' to long hours and the directive rightly gives them that protection. But they don't want unions and politicians telling them when they can work or for how long. That would be the over-zealous interference of the nanny state.
"Further restrictions on working time would be a kick in the teeth for many firms, particularly smaller ones. The move would inflict serious damage on our highly successful flexible labour market by increasing costs and exacerbating skills shortages.”
The European Commission will review the individual's right to opt out by November this year, raising fears of another increase in labour regulation.
Introduced in 1998, in addition to working hours, the working time directive sets minimum standards on holiday entitlement, holiday pay and rest breaks for employees.
(SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2015
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
Plans Announced To Make Young People Work For Benefits
The Prime Minister has announced a proposal for 18 to 21-year-olds claiming benefits to do daily work experience. The proposed reform, known as Community Work Programme, would see young people not in work, education or training, required to complete daily work experience, alongside continuing to look for work in order to qualify for benefits.
23 February 2006
Reducing stress is 'key to solving long working hours culture'
Reducing stress is the key to improving the work/life balance of UK workers, management consulting firm Croner has said.
Reducing stress is 'key to solving long working hours culture'
Reducing stress is the key to improving the work/life balance of UK workers, management consulting firm Croner has said.
24 February 2006
Senior managers top overtime table
Senior managers have overtaken teachers as the workers who put in the most unpaid overtime, the TUC has said. The union found that top managers who do unpaid hours put in on average an extra 12 hours of unpaid work each week - an increase of more than two hours from 2005.
Senior managers top overtime table
Senior managers have overtaken teachers as the workers who put in the most unpaid overtime, the TUC has said. The union found that top managers who do unpaid hours put in on average an extra 12 hours of unpaid work each week - an increase of more than two hours from 2005.
03 June 2010
Bosses Beware World Cup Fever
With the World Cup just over a week away, the Forum of Private Business is advising its members to plan ahead for the likelihood that some employees will take more of an interest in their team's fortunes than their duties.
Bosses Beware World Cup Fever
With the World Cup just over a week away, the Forum of Private Business is advising its members to plan ahead for the likelihood that some employees will take more of an interest in their team's fortunes than their duties.
16 September 2015
Man Jailed Over Indecent Images Of Children
A 41-year-old Carlisle man has been sentenced for numerous offences relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography.
Man Jailed Over Indecent Images Of Children
A 41-year-old Carlisle man has been sentenced for numerous offences relating to indecent images of children and extreme pornography.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
