Maximum working hours question

[NotActuallyAMum]

When the Working Time Directive came into force, one of the stipulations was that an employer cannot make anyone work more than 48 hours per week, averaged over 12 weeks. Actually I'm not certain about the 12 weeks but it was definitely something like that

I've recently heard that the 48 hours is going to be reduced sometime this year to 37.5 hours - does anyone know anything about this?

No, but having been through one of these tedious exercises, I do know that it is very, very hard to exceed the 48 hours!

Tanzie yes I agree, it certainly is

The reason I was asking is because I work 42 hours per week, every week without fail so if it is true that it's changing to 37.5 my employers should change my hours but I can't find any information on it anywhere so I suspect it's probably not true

There is no such change in the pipeline. Even is there was, there would be a very long lead time e.g. two years, because that would be a major change.

You can browse cipd (search for Working Time) for further information.