EU states will find it harder to opt out of the 48 hour maximum working week under new European Commission proposals.

The Commission says it wants to tighten loopholes in its Working Time Directive in order to limit the time employees spend at work.

Stakeholder Response: Institute of Directors

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the IoD, said: "Today's announcement by Brussels really will be a blow to the flexibility of many small UK firms. Employers should be allowed to negotiate opt-out agreements with employers to suit the needs of their business."

Stakeholder Response: Forum of Private Business

Nick Goulding, Forum of Private Business chief executive, said: "The proposals, if implemented, would impose severe new constraints and significant new costs on small firms already overloaded with regulation. Small businesses are vehemently opposed to these fatally flawed proposals.

"It will fundamentally undermine the flexibility of the British labour market which is entirely different to that of other member states. As it stands a British worker can work more than the 48 hours EU maximum, if they wish, but under these proposals a waiver of the 48 hour rule would have to be agreed with the trade unions. So, even if the individual worker wants to work overtime, and earn more cash, the trade unions would be able to veto the opt-out. Many small businesses on tight profit margins, employing only a few staff, rely on the flexibility of the employment market to make ends meet. This proposal will create massive problems for many small companies."