Euro-week ruling to cause chaos

By Karen Miles

Employers may face a rush to introduce revised employee contracts and working arrangements following the hold-up of a crucial Brussels ruling on the Working Time Directive.

The British Government is challenging the legality of the directive, which will bring in a maximum 48-hour week for many employees, in the European Court. The court had been expected to rule later this month but a decision is not now expected until September.

As the directive is due to become law on 23 November, employers may have to act within a matter of weeks if the British Government is defeated.

Although member states will be given seven years to introduce the 48-hour week, which is part of the directive, staff will have the right to take court action to have the shorter week introduced immediately.

The new laws will hit the widespread use of split-shifts within the hospitality industry, as well as increasing the demand for staff.

Restaurateurs, hoteliers and publicans are likely to be among those most affected by the changes, as an estimated 22% of the sector's staff currently work more than 50 hours each week.

Under the rules, employees will also be expected to work a maximum of 13 hours in one day and workers will need to take a break if they work longer than six hours.

The directive also stipulates a minimum daily rest period of 11 consecutive hours every 24 hours and at least one weekly rest period of 24 consecutive hours.

Solicitor Catherine Prest from Eversheds believes the changes could boost demand for staff in the hospitality industry by about 20%, particularly among traditionally low-paid, part-time workers.