Ruling due on 48-hour week

The results of a European Commission review of the Working Time Directive and the UK's opt-out of its maximum 48-hour working week are expected to be published within the next couple of weeks.
Publication was originally due at the end of November. But the findings are still subject to internal discussions.
The review is expected to cover three main areas. They are: the opt-out clause as invoked by the UK; the 17-week reference period; and the definition of what constitutes "working".
It is anticipated that the findings will be the subject of a period of consultation and comment to be completed by the end of March. Any fresh UK legislation ending or limiting the current opt-out is thought to be unlikely to take effect before 2008.