UK EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS SUPPORT UK OPT-OUT OF WORKING TIME DIRECTIVE
84% of companies who use the opt-out say its loss will negatively impact their business
43% of workers wish to see no restriction on working hours
72% of employees will suffer an adverse financial impact if their hours are restricted
LONDON, UK - 6 NOVEMBER 2006: EU proposals to ditch Britain's opt-out of the
controversial Working Time Directive are unpopular with both UK employers and employees, according
to a new report by Manpower, the UK’s leading employment experts.
The study, based on research of 2,151 British companies and 1,683 British workers found that
four-fifths of employers (84%) who use the opt-out believe its loss would have an impact on
their business, while only one quarter of employees (27%) agree with restrictions on working
time.
Ruth Harper, Manpower's Head of Public Affairs, said: "The survey demonstrates clearly that this
isn't a case of employees needing to be protected from their employers – it's a case of both groups
wanting the ability to work longer when necessary, and both for their own reasons. Employers need a
workforce which can meet unexpected surges in demand and it isn't always possible to predict that
peak, so a more flexible workforce keeps businesses competitive.
"Workers also want to work longer hours often because it provides them with the opportunity to
earn more money through overtime. The survey demonstrates people should be able to choose to work
longer than 48 hours a week."
Introduced in the UK in 1998, the Working Time Regulations aim to protect employees from adverse
affects on their health and safety caused by working excessively long hours, and in particular it
limits the working week to 48 hours. The UK, however, currently exercises an "opt-out" allowing employees
to work beyond this limit providing they sign a form agreeing to do so.
According to Manpower's report, one third of British companies (33%) have employees who work more
than 48 hours per week, and 84% of companies who exercise the opt-out say that its loss would have
an impact on their business.
When asked why staff worked beyond 48 hours, 67% of employers who exercised the opt-out cite "surge
in demand", with 41% pointing to "seasonal fluctuations".
Just 27% of employees wish to see the working week restricted to 48 hours, with 43% wishing to see no
restriction at all. A clear majority of employees (72%) stated that a shorter working week would have a
financial impact on them, with nearly a third (30%) saying the effect of the opt-out’s loss would be
"very large".
Employees rejected the notion that governments should set limits on working time. 29% believed that the
choice should be theirs, 22% believed that employers should set limits, and only 5% believed that capping
working hours was the responsibility of government legislation.
-Ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For a full report, please contact the Manpower UK press office on 020 8870 2214.
About Manpower
Manpower is one of the largest and most innovative companies in the UK’s employment services
industry; creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world
of work. The company provides a wide range of services including permanent, temporary and
contract recruitment, employee assessment and selection, training, outplacement, outsourcing
and consulting.
Manpower was established in the UK in 1956, and today works with organisations in both the public
and private sectors, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises, to multi-national organisations
such as BMW, BT, Hertfordshire County Council, IBM, Royal Mail and Xerox.
The focus of Manpower’s work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency
and cost-reduction, enabling customers to concentrate on their core business. Manpower works
across all industries finding people for every level of an organisation.
Manpower Professional is the company’s specialist service providing search and selection for
accountancy and financial recruitment. It was formerly known as Nicholas Andrews (voted Recruiter
of the Year by Accountancy Age magazine in 2005).
Manpower UK has a network of over 300 offices and is a subsidiary of Manpower Inc, a worldwide
network of 4,400 offices in 72 countries and territories.
