Press Release
CIPD supports compromise deal on agency workers and the working time 'opt-out'
The CIPD has backed the compromise agreement achieved by ministers in Europe securing the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Regulations, while giving agency staff equal rights with permanent employees after 12 weeks.
Ben Willmott, CIPD Employee Relations Adviser, said: "This agreement does appear to protect the flexibility of the UK’s labour market. While the CIPD would have preferred a longer time period before agency staff qualify for the same rights as permanent staff, three months is better than it might have been, considering equal rights from day one was also on the table. In addition this deal seems to have secured the UK’s opt-out from the Working Time Regulations giving people the freedom to work longer than 48 hours a week if they choose to do so.
"The CIPD opposes long hours working but believes that reduced hours and improved work-life balance is best achieved through changes in work organisation and through progressive people management rather than a statutory restriction on maximum working hours.
"The overall fall in working hours and in long hours working since 2000 shows that the current legislative framework on working hours is an appropriate one.
"The need for organisations to attract and retain talent in an increasingly tight and diverse labour market will increasingly encourage employers to provide improved work-life balance and reduce long hours working."
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