TUC slay working time myths

The TUC have today published a fact file slaying the myths surrounding the 48 hour working week rules, being debated by the EU Council of Ministers on Thursday (2 June).

The report uses hard evidence to rubbish the following claims and urges the government to take an evidenced approach to the debate this week:

Myth 1 - Long hours are not a health and safety issue Myth 2 - the UK has a good health and safety record, so there is no need to worry about long hours and overwork Myth 3 - All those who work long hours are happy to do so Myth 4 - Employers are willing to tackle any cases of abuse of the current regulations Myth 5 - Trade unions are trying to make a rule that workers donít want. Employers are simply defending a workerís right to work long hours Myth 6 - The UK economy needs long hours to succeed Myth 7 - globalisation means that we must work more hours

The report also challenges the employer lobby and government to break their silence and explain how their approach to working time rules tackles the following facts:

Pointed Silence 1 - long hours workplaces are excluding women Pointed Silence 2 - The families of long hours workers suffer Pointed Silence 3 - Long hours workers are squeezed out of lifelong learning

The full report is available at: