48 hour weekly working limit.

[cookie_dude]

I received a letter today form my employer asking me to "voluntarily agree to disapply the 48 hour weekly working limit as stipulated in the working time regulations 1998"

We were given no explanation as to why they want to do this.

They want me to sign the form asap.

Why would they want us all to do this? any ideas.

[the worm that turned]

I received a letter today form my employer asking me to "voluntarily agree to disapply the 48 hour weekly working limit as stipulated in the working time regulations 1998"

We were given no explanation as to why they want to do this.

They want me to sign the form asap.

Why would they want us all to do this? any ideas.

Because they are worried about the backlash when the EU Directive is implemented stating 35 hours (or whatever it is) - just a guess

[pleasuredome]

I received a letter today form my employer asking me to "voluntarily agree to disapply the 48 hour weekly working limit as stipulated in the working time regulations 1998"

We were given no explanation as to why they want to do this.

They want me to sign the form asap.

Why would they want us all to do this? any ideas.

i have an idea, they want you to roll over like a good slave so they can suck more profit out of your labour. i'd tell them to fuck off.

[yozhik]

Don't sign it.
Your consent is required.
If you consent, they can work you unlimited hours.

[hatstands]

Don't sign it.
Your consent is required.
If you consent, they can work you unlimited hours.

+1

They sent it out at our place (big distribution firm), as they need drivers to go up to 50 hours a week or something stupid lke that (in a 'justincase' type scenario), and gave it to everyone 'out of fairness'. It was not a big deal if you agreed to do no more than 48 hours, or so they said to us ! tchoh

[tien an]

+1

"...It was not a big deal if you agreed to do no more than 48 hours, or so they said to us ! tchoh"

I signed one a few months ago.

It's the UK 'opting out' of the "oh-so-restrictive-to-our-business" directives passed down from the EU, who for some reason only work their slaves (oops; employees) for 35hrs/week. This principle has been cited (in France) as being a way of creating 'half-jobs' or 'job-sharing', including contracts with a fixed duration. (3,6,9,12 months...). (Much more flexibility for employers, don't you think?)

Whilst I like the fact that the UK is in this way exercising it's right to a little independence of thought/decision, it didn't escape my notice that I was given the distinct impression; had I not signed it, come the time when they want to cull a few workers...my name would be on the list.

It actually suits me, but that's not the point...is it?

tien an.

[comma berenices]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029426

I thought this might help.

[cookie_dude]

Thanks for the replies. I managed to speak with my manager today and he said it so we can work up to 2 days overtime which would put our hours over the 48 hours.
Since I don't do over time don't think I'll sign it, just in case they are trying to screw us.

[yozhik]

Whatever happened to the 40 hour week as standard?
When did the bastards move the goalposts?

[Ian2day]

My intentions behind the 35 hour limit. Are to ensure that some tyrnacal employers can not force people to work an extended amount at work. Leading to them being away from their families etc for enforced extended periods of time. I've seen it first hand when working within various companies that treat people negatively if they refuse overtime etc. They become victimised or alienated as those in a supervisoray postition tend to turn the rest of the employees against them. Saying things like they are not a team player or whipping up hatred and directing it at the individual so as to divert attention away from the fact that the company is full of a few fat cats at the top.

There is room for more people to have well paid work if they so choose. Just by ensuring that employers restrict the amount of hours that each person works a week. There is nothing to stop someone from working another job elsewhere if they so wish. It is all about giving the individual choice without feeling pressurised into become a wage slave for a big company. Anyone who is being hounded to sign away this right should issue a notice in writing. Simply stating that they do not wish to give up the working time directive limit of 48 and soon to be 35 hours a week.

A truely fairer world will not come about if people are not free to work or not work without fear of victimisation etc. The rationale behind this is that more jobs will be created with people only being at work for 35 hours a week. This is in effect the creation of a four day week for those who want it. Enabling people to spend quality time with family and friends but also ensuring that there are more vacancies in the jobs market place. What it does is spreads the wealth around more people. By forcing large scale employers to take on more staff. Thus it also reduces the unemploment figures etc.

People have been conditioned to think that work, work, work is the answer. Well choice, choice, choice is the answer. There is so much that anyone could do with that extra day off each week. Everyones quality of life, sense of selfworth, personal achievement and well being will grow leading to happier people.

People are free to do what they want under this new system of opt out of work and opt in to recreation and leisure activities. It is the large employers who have to change the culture of work until you drop. This living time should be about the individual beings journey and not about the time spent in the workplace doing more and more hours. It is time for us all to do less and less work. That does not have to mean poverty for us as long as employers are willing to share the profits more ethically amoung us all.

[cookie_dude]

My intentions behind the 35 hour limit. Are to ensure that some tyrnacal employers can not force people to work an extended amount at work. Leading to them being away from their families etc for enforced extended periods of time. I've seen it first hand when working within various companies that treat people negatively if they refuse overtime etc. They become victimised or alienated as those in a supervisoray postition tend to turn the rest of the employees against them. Saying things like they are not a team player or whipping up hatred and directing it at the individual so as to divert attention away from the fact that the company is full of a few fat cats at the top.

There is room for more people to have well paid work if they so choose. Just by ensuring that employers restrict the amount of hours that each person works a week. There is nothing to stop someone from working another job elsewhere if they so wish. It is all about giving the individual choice without feeling pressurised into become a wage slave for a big company. Anyone who is being hounded to sign away this right should issue a notice in writing. Simply stating that they do not wish to give up the working time directive limit of 48 and soon to be 35 hours a week.

A truely fairer world will not come about if people are not free to work or not work without fear of victimisation etc. The rationale behind this is that more jobs will be created with people only being at work for 35 hours a week. This is in effect the creation of a four day week for those who want it. Enabling people to spend quality time with family and friends but also ensuring that there are more vacancies in the jobs market place. What it does is spreads the wealth around more people. By forcing large scale employers to take on more staff. Thus it also reduces the unemploment figures etc.

People have been conditioned to think that work, work, work is the answer. Well choice, choice, choice is the answer. There is so much that anyone could do with that extra day off each week. Everyones quality of life, sense of selfworth, personal achievement and well being will grow leading to happier people.

People are free to do what they want under this new system of opt out of work and opt in to recreation and leisure activities. It is the large employers who have to change the culture of work until you drop. This living time should be about the individual beings journey and not about the time spent in the workplace doing more and more hours. It is time for us all to do less and less work. That does not have to mean poverty for us as long as employers are willing to share the profits more ethically amoung us all.

Great post. I agree with what you say about the four day week. That is all I work at the moment it gives me time to spend with my family and do the thing I enjoy and in theory If every one did the same there would be a more even share of work and wealth.
The problem is were I work every one thinks I'm nuts for not doing over time. I tell them that there is more to life than money but they cant get their heads around that.
I work for the council and about 35% of my department work for an agency and only get paid half of what I get for doing the same job. The agency workers have been told that they wont be taken on full time this year because there is no money.
If all the money grabbers stopped working 6 days a week plus extra hours every day These poor agency blokes could may be have the chance to earn a decent wage.:rolleyes:

[yozhik]

Great post. I agree with what you say about the four day week. That is all I work at the moment it gives me time to spend with my family and do the thing I enjoy and in theory If every one did the same there would be a more even share of work and wealth.
The problem is were I work every one thinks I'm nuts for not doing over time. I tell them that there is more to life than money but they cant get their heads around that.
I work for the council and about 35% of my department work for an agency and only get paid half of what I get for doing the same job. The agency workers have been told that they wont be taken on full time this year because there is no money.
If all the money grabbers stopped working 6 days a week plus extra hours every day These poor agency blokes could may be have the chance to earn a decent wage.:rolleyes:

The difference in the pay is the Agency fee ... it has nothing to do with the hours worked.

The council pays the same for you as they do for them.
The council does not save money in the agency wages as opposed to the employee wage.
The saving for the council is in the employee related costs (benefits).

So for you, it is wage = benefits.
For the Agency staff it is wage.

Wage = wage.

The difference between what you receive and what the agency staff receive is NOT a difference in the cost to the council. The only difference is the cut for the middle man; the Agency.

Remove the agency and they would be receiving the same amount as you.

[cookie_dude]

The difference in the pay is the Agency fee ... it has nothing to do with the hours worked.

The council pays the same for you as they do for them.
The council does not save money in the agency wages as opposed to the employee wage.
The saving for the council is in the employee related costs (benefits).

So for you, it is wage = benefits.
For the Agency staff it is wage.

Wage = wage.

The difference between what you receive and what the agency staff receive is NOT a difference in the cost to the council. The only difference is the cut for the middle man; the Agency.

Remove the agency and they would be receiving the same amount as you.

I believe the agency the council uses take a 55% cut of money.

[2013]

A truely fairer world will not come about if people are not free to work or not work without fear of victimisation etc. The rationale behind this is that more jobs will be created with people only being at work for 35 hours a week. This is in effect the creation of a four day week for those who want it. Enabling people to spend quality time with family and friends but also ensuring that there are more vacancies in the jobs market place. What it does is spreads the wealth around more people. By forcing large scale employers to take on more staff. Thus it also reduces the unemploment figures etc.

People have been conditioned to think that work, work, work is the answer. Well choice, choice, choice is the answer. There is so much that anyone could do with that extra day off each week. Everyones quality of life, sense of selfworth, personal achievement and well being will grow leading to happier people.



This is what i say regularly concerning the employment unemployment situation . 4 day week albeit better paid would solve a lot of problems like you say create more jobs so we dont have millions applying for the few hundred thousand jobs available . Given more free time to spend with family or pursue leisure activity or hobbies will also generate more income for those industries so another positive knock on effect . I dont think thats what they want :rolleyes: to be honest . But if the people start to work towards it then they would have to comply . :D

[tien an]

cookie dude:

"I managed to speak with my manager today and he said it so we can work up to 2 days overtime which would put our hours over the 48 hours.
Since I don't do over time don't think I'll sign it, just in case they are trying to screw us."

I wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.
It's true that at some time in the future there is a danger of the 48hr week becoming the norm (especially when I think of the 45billion the Chancellor expects the taxpayer to fork out over the next 30-odd years), but what you were asked to sign means that you consent to a statute which, at the moment, protects your 40hr week in that any hours over the 40hrs are usually negotiated at a higher rate and called 'overtime'.
In the company I (my person) have/has a contract with, overtime at the weekend is paid at a rate of 1.33, during the week 1.44, and double time any other time.
I've worked in some companies where any overtime was paid at 1.25, and others where bank holidays were paid at 3.0.
What you were asked to sign is simply an amendment to your contract...how you negotiate your overtime is between you and your employer.

As for agencies, as mentioned by others.
Hmph.
An excuse from their 'employers' to keep you at arm's distance.
Here's (basically) how their agreement works:
If you're paid £10/hr, you can bet that the agency is charging the employer between £17 and £20 /hr.
This usually goes on for three months, during which time, their profit decreases. This is why they sometimes 'pull' you from a job.
If the employer decides, at any time during the three months that you're the dog's bollocks and takes you on full time, they usually have to pay a fee to the agency, equal to the revenue that they will miss out on...you slave you.

Heavenly Peace.
tien an.