EU job threat, might just save your life
Believe it or not sometimes I am at a loss, for something to write but generally inspiration comes with a quick gander of the newspapers, and one idea that popped into my head this morning, was to have a regular feature entitled Politicians Talking Rollocks, although on reflection I'd probably misspell and write Bollix.
Anyway quickly dispensing with that idea, I took a fresh look at the papers and stumbled on this pronouncement*, from Richard Ashworth Tory MEP for Kent, when talking about EU legislation entitling workers to not less than 11 consecutive hours rest in any 24 hour period, '' While many people have a healthy work life - balance, others may choose to put in extra hours to achieve their ambitions. Sending them home against their will is nonsensical.
He then goes on to add ''It could cost them their jobs'' , unfortunately the article didn't then explained in what circumstances an employee would lose their job for complying with the law.
I just wonder whether Mr Ashworth, has ever taken the time to consider, why employees need the protection of the law in relation to working hours, according to his biography his life has, heavily revolved around cows, presumably in his capacity as a dairy farmer, well people are different, and whilst many of us enjoy hard work and sometimes choose long-hours, there are as many, if not more, who feel obliged to work along hours.
It is amazing, how many employers, would back Mr Ashworth and surprising how few employees and their representatives who would agree. I believe that there is some evidence, that those who work long-hours are susceptible to accidents, illness and enhanced mortality. Working long hours on a speech or letter is an entirely different kettle of fish, to being a labourer, factory worker, truck-driver etc
The working time directive, whilst it may be restrictive, is there to protect employees' health, I personally believe that people's lives are worth more than a businesses bottom line. In the past, I have experienced, the long hours culture and to be honest the main beneficiary is the employer and not the employee.
Perhaps given Mr Ashworth's resources as an MEP, he could research how many families believe they have experienced the premature loss, from long-hours of a loved one, there is unequivocal evidence that long-hours leads to increased accidents, and I believe growing evidence concerning heart disease perhaps Mr Ashworth might care to read up before he next talks.. .
Apologies for the serious tone, of this post, maybe I should kept to the first idea of talking...
*Kent on Sunday
Links for Mr Ashworth MEP
Norwich Union ''Long hours ,'increase workers' health risks''
BBC from 2002 Long hours linked to heart attacks
Who is Richard Ashworth MEP
Anyway quickly dispensing with that idea, I took a fresh look at the papers and stumbled on this pronouncement*, from Richard Ashworth Tory MEP for Kent, when talking about EU legislation entitling workers to not less than 11 consecutive hours rest in any 24 hour period, '' While many people have a healthy work life - balance, others may choose to put in extra hours to achieve their ambitions. Sending them home against their will is nonsensical.
He then goes on to add ''It could cost them their jobs'' , unfortunately the article didn't then explained in what circumstances an employee would lose their job for complying with the law.
I just wonder whether Mr Ashworth, has ever taken the time to consider, why employees need the protection of the law in relation to working hours, according to his biography his life has, heavily revolved around cows, presumably in his capacity as a dairy farmer, well people are different, and whilst many of us enjoy hard work and sometimes choose long-hours, there are as many, if not more, who feel obliged to work along hours.
It is amazing, how many employers, would back Mr Ashworth and surprising how few employees and their representatives who would agree. I believe that there is some evidence, that those who work long-hours are susceptible to accidents, illness and enhanced mortality. Working long hours on a speech or letter is an entirely different kettle of fish, to being a labourer, factory worker, truck-driver etc
The working time directive, whilst it may be restrictive, is there to protect employees' health, I personally believe that people's lives are worth more than a businesses bottom line. In the past, I have experienced, the long hours culture and to be honest the main beneficiary is the employer and not the employee.
Perhaps given Mr Ashworth's resources as an MEP, he could research how many families believe they have experienced the premature loss, from long-hours of a loved one, there is unequivocal evidence that long-hours leads to increased accidents, and I believe growing evidence concerning heart disease perhaps Mr Ashworth might care to read up before he next talks.. .
Apologies for the serious tone, of this post, maybe I should kept to the first idea of talking...
*Kent on Sunday
Links for Mr Ashworth MEP
Norwich Union ''Long hours ,'increase workers' health risks''
BBC from 2002 Long hours linked to heart attacks
Who is Richard Ashworth MEP
You need to get your facts straight. His comments were in response to a ruling by the European Court of Justice which said enployers must send people home when they reach their WTD limits - regardless of whether that's what they want.
ReplyDeletePeople should have the right to just work the hours they are contracted to work, but only my mum and wife should be able to tell me I'm working too hard - not some judge in Luxembourg.
Suggest you read the Kent on sunday from which I based my comments.
ReplyDelete