EU Working Time Directive

The vote in May 2005 by members of the European Parliament to approve the removal of the UK opt out from the European Working Time Directive was met with dismay and disappointment. Despite all SNP members voting against the removal on the grounds that it would cause problems for Scottish employers, public services and workers alike, the Parliament as a whole approved the removal by 378 votes to 262.

This vote, however damaging for the future of the 48-hour week opt out is by no means difinitive. Ministers from the 25 EU member states will now discuss changes to the Working Time Directive, but a decision is unlikely to be immediate. There is still a clear divide between those countries who wish to keep the opt out, and those who wish to remove it.

The battle over the Working Time Directive opt out resurfaced following the end of the UK-led presidency in January 2006, but Austria was unable to break the deadlock. With Finland now at the helm of the European Union, much more squabbling is envisaged in Parliament as the EU attempts to resolve the issue.

Specialists in this area, Time and Attendance Scotland provide accurate and reliable time and attendance systems and software to help your company comply with the EU Working Time Directive.

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Follow this link for further information on the Working Time Directive.