Working Time opt-out decision gets mixed reception from employers and unions

David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "This sends a strong message to the world that the UK is a good place to do business.

"It is our flexible labour market that has been one of the key strengths of this economy over recent years and it will be crucial in helping businesses drive the UK out of recession."

And, according to office productivity consultancy OfficeMetrics, it would be impossible for employers in the UK to implement a maximum 48-hour working week.

Jon Mulligan, MD at OfficeMetrics, explained: "As we see a current shift towards flexible working patterns, monitoring the amount of time people are at their desks has become redundant and it has therefore become impossible to enforce a maximum working week. Instead, employers need to understand how employees are spending their working day, whether it is in the office or from remote locations."

But the TUC believes the opt-out could mean UK workers will be exploited. General secretary Brendan Barber said: "We are disappointed that another opportunity has been missed to end the UK's dangerous long-hours culture.
"Long hours cause stress, illness and lowers productivity. And when many employers are moving to short-time working, the need for an opt-out from the 48-hour week is even more out of date.
"The UK Government still needs to tighten the law on working time, otherwise the EU could take it to court in order to protect UK workers from abuse of the 48-hour week."