Plus ca change, plus c´est la même change

This month we deal with a variety of topical issues, ranging from the current state of the Working Time Regulations op-out to proposed consultation obligations in relation to company pension schemes.

In October 2004, we reported on European proposals that were expected to water down the ability to require employees to opt out of the 48-hour maximum working week. In May of this year, the European Parliament voted in favour of more far-reaching proposals, which could have put an end to the opt out altogether. This would have had significant consequences for many UK businesses, which use opt-outs as a matter of course for all their staff.

However, when EU employment ministers met at the beginning of June to make a decision, the UK Government (with backing from a number of other countries) opposed the proposal, thus forcing the issue to be dropped for the time being. This does not mean that the opt-out is safe, but the issue is not likely to