Overview

This bill aims to limit the application of the EU Working Time Directive and the associated 1998 Regulations within the UK. It seeks to exempt certain groups of workers and types of time from the Directive's provisions concerning working hours, aiming to provide greater flexibility for employers and employees.

Description

The Working Time Directive (Limitation) Bill seeks to modify the application of existing UK law derived from the EU Working Time Directive. Key aspects include:

• Opt-out for Employees: Allows employees to opt out of the Directive's provisions with their employer's agreement.
• Exemption for Certain Professions: Exempts doctors and other health professionals from the Directive's scope.
• On-call Time: Time spent on-call but not actively working will not count towards working hours.
• Exclusions from Calculations: The Directive will not apply to calculating holiday entitlements, holiday pay, bonuses, overtime pay, time spent abroad, or travel time to and from work.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. The potential impact would likely be indirect, potentially affecting the costs associated with enforcing the existing regulations and any associated legal challenges.

Groups Affected

The bill would affect various groups differently:

• Employers: May experience increased flexibility in managing employee work schedules, particularly in sectors like healthcare. However, they will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with the opt-out clause.
• Employees: Some employees may benefit from greater flexibility and potentially higher earnings through longer working hours; however, others may lose the protections afforded by the existing regulations.
• Doctors and Health Professionals: This group would be entirely exempted from the Directive's limitations on working hours.

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