Warning for licensees as employer is sued over 48-hour working week
Licensees are being warned not to let their staff work more than 48 hours a week, after a woman sued her employer.
Maureen Lambard, who works for newsagents Martins, won £1,200 in compensation after her employers ignored the Working Time Directive and made her work up to 97 hours a week.
The legislation states that staff must only work more than 48-hours if they have agreed in writing to opt out.
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, said he was worried that "thousands of licensees" were unaware of how long staff were working.
"They have to make sure they are not working more than 48 hours full stop," he said. "For example they may only be working 10 hours in the pub but if it's their second job this could take them over the 48-hour limit. I would advise all licensees to ask staff to sign a 48-hour opt out agreement just to cover their backs."
Europe is currently considering plans to remove the opt-out clause altogether, forcing all pub operators and licensees to limit staff to 48-hours a week maximum. It is feared this would lead to longer hours for licensees and add to wage costs.
The Publican's Red Tape Costs campaign, in association with the trade's Red Tape Group, is urging publicans to highlight specific cases of crazy bureaucracy.
The group's Kate Nicholls can be contacted with examples on 020 8567 8735.
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