UK industry unites for EU Working Time opt-out

The meeting, called urgently to discuss a coordinated response to the legislation by all members of the Group (formerly known as the National HR Forum), agreed to step up its lobbying to policymakers in the UK and the European Commission.

The UK's Working Time Regulations, introduced in 1998, implement a European Directive that limits the maximum working hours to 48 hours per week. The UK Government won an exemption to this maximum where individual employees consent. The exemption was limited in time, and the European Commission has now begun a consultation exercise to review whether the opt-out should continue. The European Parliament has already voted against its continuation, and the House of Lords has set up an urgent committee to review the UK's position.

Jane Gilham, the HR manager of gearbox manufacturer Xtrac, commented: "The flexibility conferred by the current Working Time regulations is critical in safeguarding the longevity of the motorsport and high-performance engineering sector and the jobs of over 40,000 individuals. To lose the opt-out could be seriously damaging for our sector, so it's critical that the industry provides a collective and informed response to Government."

Sue Scarf, the HR director of Prodrive, added: "The UK motorsport sector is unique and has retained its vital competitive advantage largely due to the talent and flexibility of its workforce. By exercising their freedom of choice to opt out from the working time regulations, employees play a pivotal role in helping UK companies to win on race day. Changes to limit working hours would have substantial repercussions for the entire motorsport industry."

The deadline for responses is March 31, 2004.