Opt-out 'retains flexibility'

The UK's opt-out from the working time regulations protects the flexibility of the labour market, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Having backed the compromise agreement achieved by ministers in Europe, Ben Willmott, employee relations adviser for the CIPD, said: "This deal seems to have secured the UK's opt-out from the working time regulations giving people the freedom to work longer than 48 hours a week if they choose to do so.

"The need for organisations to attract and retain talent in an increasingly tight and diverse labour market will increasingly encourage employers to provide improved work-life balance and reduce long hours working."