Regulators urged to reach consensus on Working Time Directive

The EU's proposal to end the opt-out clause in the Working Time Directive may be a case of fixing something that's not broken.

The TUC has already said that the proposal was 'a victory for a common sense compromise on the 48 hour working week', while the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is urging the UK government to seek to maintain the opt-out during the next stage of negotiations.

But Matthew Haines from construction industry expert Consensus Recruitment said: 'It's not just about long hours. Any concerns about people being put under pressure to work late or dangerously long hours can be dealt with separately from the basic right to work extra time if you want to.

'No sensible businessperson would condone a culture of long hours or unfair practices; they are of no long-term benefit. But the basic right of someone to do the odd bit of overtime, or work longer hours on a time-critical contract is simply their decision in a grown-up society. Other protections can be put in place to eliminate any foul play by unscrupulous bosses.'

Consensus welcomes the robust approach taken by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation to such issues and urges all parties to seek the most agreeable solution - from the willing employees' point of view to that of employers, and those charged with supporting both.