Some employers are still wondering if Brexit could mean a change to EU derived employment laws. This includes the Working Time Directive’s 48 hour weekly working limit and rest breaks and the inclusion of overtime in some holiday pay calculation. However, the business secretary has said that there is no plan to reduce workers’ rights. Kwasi Kwarteng MP said it is the government’s intention to protect and enhance workers’ rights rather than row back on them. He confirmed that the department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy was carrying out a consultation with business leaders on EU employment rules including the Working Time Directive. Apparently, the consultation will look at our previous EU membership and the aspects that the UK may want to keep. Mr Kwarteng acknowledged that there had been stories about a bonfire of rights but added that ‘this couldn’t be further from the truth’.
