News

A brief look at the Working Time Directive.

Introduced in the UK in 1998, the Working Time Directive (WTD) in association with the existing UK workplace health and safety legislation fundamentally encouraged the decline in long-hours working. What impact has the directive had? Do the benefits outweigh the disadvantages?

The WTD was introduced into the EU in 1993. Intended to regulate the number of hours employees spend at work. The primary purpose was to protect the health and safety of individuals engaged in full-time employment. Five years later, it became UK law, with the regulation being seen as controversial in its perceived attempts to constrict the economic growth of the UK employer and employee.

The Working Time Directive – The Basics

Listing the basics of the WTD helps to understand at a glance what the concept is.

  1. A maximum of 48 working hours a week.
  2. An uninterrupted rest period of 11 hours each day.
  3. A rest break when hours worked is more than six hours in a day.
  4. One day of rest each week as a minimum.
  5. Four weeks annual leave each year as a minimum.
  6. An average of no more than eight hours per work period for night time workers.
  7. Health checks for night time workers free of charge.

There are exemptions, for example, the armed forces and emergency services etc. and “Opt-Outs” of the 48 hour maximum where applicable.

Considering Benefits

Some perceptions of the benefits have been put forward as:

  1. Increased employment rather than a reduction of overall working hours.
  2. Reduces the risk of health and safety issues caused by fatigue.
  3. Increased productivity due to worker alertness.
  4. Removes the threat of worker exploitation.
  5. Reduces bullying and harassment, especially where there is no union representation.
  6. Actively encourages breaks, rest periods and a minimum holiday entitlement.
  7. Reduces stress and tiredness especially in physically demanding jobs.
Considering Disadvantages

Some critics of the WTD have inferred:

  1. Does not take into consideration seasonal employment
  2. Does not consider time constrained deadlines.
  3. Handicaps start-up businesses where a business cannot commit to further recruitment financial obligations.
  4. Discourages investment due to the inflexibility of restricted labour hours.
  5. Impacts upon time driven targets.
  6. Prevents additional overtime income, especially penalising for low hourly paid workers.
  7. Restricts enthusiasm to see a job through to completion earlier than expected.
Related to Drivers’ Hours

The Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has stated that “Driver fatigue can account for up to one in five serious crashes”. It endorses the WTD by stating that “Having adequate controls on commercial vehicle driving and rest times is essential to safe operation as tired drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents”.

Within this news section the article entitled “Driver Distraction, Inattention or Fatigue.” states “The Working Time Directive is in place to ensure that professional driving duties conform to the regulated period allowed for those activities.” Further, it states “The primary activity of driving should be done when the driver is alert and in control.”.

Without a doubt, the roads of the UK are safer due to the implementation of the UK workplace health and safety legislation and the Working Time Directive. As far as driving for work is concerned the benefits are significant. It can be said the same for any activity involving machinery. Especially where the machine, if operated incorrectly, could put lives at risk. At the same time, technological advancements have enabled the monitoring of driver behaviour, through analysis of accidents, endorsements, training and education. “The Four Principles” that Licence Link promotes, endorses the WTD and all efforts made to reduce risk.

Leave a Reply

Scroll to top