Small firms not ready for the new regulations

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned that the majority of small firms are unaware of the implications of the Working Time Regulations. A survey carried out by the Employers' Forum on EU Social Policy (EFSP) suggests that 74 per cent of organisations stated that they will ask at least some of their employees to "opt-out" of the 48-hour week requirement.

The FSB is calling for a lenient approach from compliance officers during the first six months of the implementation of the regulations, which caused major concern when it was first proposed by the European Commission, with the last Government even going to the European Court of Justice to attempt to prevent it applying in the UK.

Although the EU directive was passed in 1993, and should have been implemented in 1996, employers still have a long way to go before they are in compliance with the UK regulations, claimed the EFSP.

The survey, which was conducted by law firm Eversheds, also revealed that for employers, the area of most concern is the requirement to keep records of employees' working time. The second highest concern for businesses is the requirement to introduce a maximum working week of 48 hours,

The FSB said that because the final working time regulations were only published on 30 July this year, business has had little time to make itself aware of the far-reaching implications of the legislation.

Bill Knox, employment affairs chairman at FSB, said: "The regulations have been rushed through and many employers are unaware of the full implications. Not even Parliament has had time to debate the final draft.

"We would like to see an understanding approach from compliance officers during the initial stages of the implementation because small employers will need help and advice."