UK Working Week Is Over 48 Hours For Many
While it may be in direct contravention of the European Working Time Directive it seems that more and more workers in the UK are being asked to work longer than the regulation 48 hours a week. Unions have announced the rise in those working more than 48 hours a week and called for a halt to the practice, but what can they really do?
It is no coincidence that the rise in weekly work hours is happening at a time when the economy is struggling and more people are becoming worried about their employment positions. It seems that many managers and business leaders are using this fear of job cuts to squeeze the most out of their workers. However, this leaves workers more stressed, less time with their families and more likely than ever to suffer from exhaustion or a breakdown.
Union leaders have been monitoring the situation for some time and there are real concerns about the long term affect on both employees and businesses alike. The situation has also opened up the gender pay gap issue with more men than woman being asked to work longer hours. As the economy continues to weaken further there are worries that the situation will get very much worse before it gets better.
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