Has anyone ever reversed their opt out from the working time directive?

[DollyWilde]

Just a geeky/nosy question really...

Was having a read on my way in this morning (god knows why) about the working time directive.

Oh for goodness sake, posted too early. Hang on...

...anyway so I hadn’t realised that your employer can’t penalise you for cancelling your opt out. I work in a city law firm (non-lawyer) and every time I’ve signed a new contract it’s contained a WTD opt out which I’ve signed pretty much as standard. However I’m entertained by the thought of waltzing into my boss’s office this afternoon and merrily informing her I won’t be working more than 48 hours a week going forward not going to happen but a girl can dream I guess (average about 55 I think). Has anyone actually done it?

Well it's over 45 hours averaged over 17 weeks so perhaps if you are taking annual leave, your 55 working average may reduce to 45 per week anyway.

We have shift workers, they have contracted hours and any additional are overtime at time and 2 thirds. I think at our place if you opt out then you would not be allowed to work overtime, so they are punished by not earning more money. Nobody has opted out though.

Weren't to opt out*

No-one I know at work has opted out
I have never opted out either

But in my work contracts for full time staff vary slightly between 35-40 hours mine being 35 per week and I usually do absolute max 37

I've opted out after being automatically put in as a standard contract
Weeks with holiday days in count as excluded days for the purpose of WTR so can't be included as rest days.
The downside is no paid overtime, however my quality of life has improved. If I work extra hours over WTR one week then I am given it back as time owed within a couple of weeks
I am salaried so still get paid my salary every month as normal