The Working Time Regulations (WTR) are a hindrance to businesses and should be scrapped, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

The call comes despite the findings of joint survey of 800 employers by the CIPD and accountant KPMG where as many (just under 30%) said the WTR helped their businesses as hindered them; 40% felt they had no impact.

Insisting that the WTR have negligible value in limiting unhealthy workplace behaviour, CIPD employee relations adviser Mike Emmott called for their repeal in the context of the European Commission’s current review of the Working Time Directive.

In 1993, under the last Conservative government, the UK successfully negotiated an opt-out from the Directive’s 48-hour maximum working week, allowing employees to choose to work longer if they wish. And last April, attempts by Members of the European Parliament to remove this derogation within three years ended in stalemate.

Source: Empire HR Ltd

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