‘Cautious welcome’ for EU deal on flexible working

Business groups have ‘cautiously welcomed’ an EU agreement that will enable UK employees to retain flexibility in their working hours, following a meeting in Luxemburg earlier this week.

On 9 June European employment ministers agreed to allow the UK to opt out of an EU Working Time Directive which restricts employees’ working hours to 48 per week. As a result, the cap will be set at a weekly maximum of 60 hours for UK workers.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has applauded the move, claiming it will preserve the working flexibility that is vital to the British job market.

‘It is important that, for small businesses in particular, key members of staff are given the freedom and flexibility to put in the hours that are necessary for success. The rewards benefit both business-owners and their employees,’ said the FPB's Chief Executive, Phil Orford.

Business Secretary John Hutton described the ‘landmark’ agreement as ‘a very good deal for the UK.’

‘Flexibility has been critical to our ability to create an extra three million jobs over the past decade. That flexibility has been preserved by ensuring workers can continue to have choice over their working hours in future years,’ he added.

The directive, along with proposals to give more rights to temporary workers, will now go before the European Parliament.