November 15, 2013
Latest Insight newsletter is now available to view online
In this week’s Insight newsletter, available to view online; chaos is something that many organisations should harness as a way of fostering the creativity they claim to desire; FM is revealed as one of five UK industries where employees have reported the highest levels of long-term ill health; six architectural practices are shortlisted to design new RIBA HQ; and the CTBUH announces the winners of its Best Tall Building Worldwide competition. Pam Loch considers the CBI’s support for the opt-out of the maximum 48 hour working week; Philip Ross says we should never take the UK’s talent base for granted; and reflecting on a 400-year guide to ergonomics, Mark Eltringham observes paper may have been replaced by tablet computers, but the people using them haven’t changed at all.
November 13, 2013
Working Time Directive – why the CBI calls for a permanent opt-out
by Pam Loch • Comment, Legal news, Workplace
The UK’s opt-out of the maximum 48 hour working week being proposed by the EU is yet again under the microscope. This follows the recent publication by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) of a report which highlights the frustration felt by UK businesses regarding the Working Time Directive. “Our Global Future: The Business Vision for a Reformed EU”; focuses specifically on the continuing concerns for UK businesses around the extensive level of involvement EU legislation has on how they operate their business. It shows that the majority of businesses still favour the opt-out and the flexibility it provides. Interestingly however, many did not see the need to change the current entitlement to paid holidays or rest breaks. (more…)