Outcomes of the European Working Time Directive

doi:10.1136/bmj.39541.443611.80

Published 31 July 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.39541.443611.80
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a942

Editorials

Outcomes of the European Working Time Directive

From 56 to 48 hours is a step too far

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The European Working Time Directive was produced by the Councilof the European Union in 1993 and incorporated into Britishlaw in 1998 as the Working Time Regulations.¹ Various aspectsof the directive have had a major effect on the practice ofmedicine in the United Kingdom, most importantly the reductionin the maximum working week to 56 hours in 2007, a planned furtherreduction to 48 hours in 2009, and the need for a minimum of11 hours’ rest in any 24 hour period.

Although not clearly stated in the directive, the aims of thecouncil presumably were to protect workers from being coercedby employers to work excessive hours; to improve the qualityof life of workers by permitting sufficient free time for familyand leisure; and to reduce risk caused by tired workers. Althoughmany industries are affected by the change in the law, medicineposes particular . . . [Full text of this article]

Hugh Cairns, consultant nephrologist, Bruce Hendry, professor of renal medicine, Andrew Leather, consultant surgeon, John Moxham, professor of respiratory medicine and medical director

¹ Renal Administration, King’s College Hospital, London SE5 9RS

hugh.cairns@kch.nhs.uk

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This article has been cited by other articles:

Terpstra, O. T (2008). Experience of directive in the Netherlands. BMJ 337: a1775-a1775 [Full text]
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Caldwell, P. J (2008). Was editorial written in interests of junior doctors?. BMJ 337: a1587-a1587 [Full text]
Saunders, S. M F (2008). Perplexing views on working time directive. BMJ 337: a1588-a1588 [Full text]

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