Govenrment and Business Environment Case Study

New Work-Time Regulations: Is Britain Ready?

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Abstract:
The Working Time Directive adopted by the European Union's (EU) Social Affairs Council in 1993 governs working time regulations in the EU member states. It set a maximum limit of 48 hours per working week. Following the adoption, Britain negotiated for an 'opt-out' provision that allowed individual employees to waive their rights to the 48 hour limit. But recently, many have started questioning the relevance and operational veracity of the opt-out.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss the impact of long working hours on Britain's work force. It examines the relationship between working hours and productivity
• To discuss the views of the trade unions and the Confederation of British Industry on the opt-out.

Keywords : Government and Business Environment Case Study, Work-time regulations, Working Time Directive (1993), European Commission, Anna Diamantapoulou, John Cridland, The opt-out, Productivity in Britain, Protirement, European Union Social Affairs Council, Confederation of British Industry, Woking hours in Europe,Business Environment Case Study, SiMAP, Flexible working hours