Category: Employment Law, Taxation and Legislation for Contractors

The jury is still out on the effect of the Working Time Directive in Europe, it has been pointed out.

Under the rules, adults, including professional contractors, cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours a week, on average, during a 17-week period.

Employees can opt out of the limit voluntarily, but have the right to reinstate it.

According to Katy Nicholson, spokesperson for Keep Britain Working, the rules were introduced to increase job numbers, however "there is little evidence that this has been its effect".

"As the EU struggles to emerge from the downturn it may be worth revisiting potentially restrictive legislation," she commented.

Workers do need to be protected from exploitation and a level playing field of employment law across Europe helps economies, Ms Nicholson added.

Maintaining current job levels must be done alongside the creation of new opportunities, she concluded.

Posted by Sarah Putt