Manufacturers concerns about possible changes to the Working Time Directive will not have been allayed by today’s announcement by the European Commission, according to EEF, the manufacturers organisation.
In particular, EEF fears that the announcement could allow a dangerous precedent to be set whereby trade unions could prevent employees signing individual opt out agreements.
EEF Deputy Director of Employment Policy, David Yeandle, said:
"Today’s announcement has done nothing to allay our concerns. We are particularly unhappy about the prospect that Trade Unions could have a veto on individual employees being able to reach agreement with their employer about the number of hours that they work.
"We also need clarity that information and consultation arrangements will not have to be used by employers to reach ‘collective agreements’ on working time issues and, in particular, the individual opt out."
However, EEF welcomed the Commission’s proposal that governments will be able to average working time over 52 weeks. This will allow employers to take better account of variable working patterns and business needs in determining working time arrangements with their employees.