Working time directive

[harryatkins]

Can someone explain the rationale behind contractors opting out of the working time directive? On a day rate "to comply with clients reasonable requirements with regard to the provision of the Services. Hours of work will be suitable to complete the Services in a satisfactory manner and within the period of time specified in Schedule 1. There are no overtime payments". Surly will make no difference if I am opted out or in, will it?

[cojak]

You need them to define what's 'reasonable'.

You may discover that it's 12 hours a day...

[harryatkins]

You need them to define what's 'reasonable'.

You may discover that it's 12 hours a day...

Yeah kind of what I was thinking.

However is it not the fact that the working time directive is completely unrelated to pay. If I have agreed a day-rate then I should not complain if the hours are a little longer. Of course, I can always try and renegotiate my rate if I consider the hours excessive, but it would seems that the 48-hour WTD is not a viable argument (not least because it is measured over a 17-week average period). If I want more money for doing longer days, this is a simple commercial negotiation and not related to the WTD?

[The Wikir Man]

Surely the working time directive is a matter between you and your employer, not your company and it's customer.

[SueEllen]

Surely the working time directive is a matter between you and your employer, not your company and it's customer.

Not exactly.

Parts of the Working Time Directive falls under the remit of Health and Safety Regulations. So if a client expects you to work 17 hour days 7 days a week then they are in breach of Health and Safety Regulations. More so if your company provides services where you have to drive around client sites and you only have one employee available to do this.

However if you wish to work 12 hour days 5 days a week then then they won't be interested and it's up to your company to sort that out with it's workers.