Department of Trade and Industry officials have stated that the implementation of any changes to the Working Time Regulations are "unlikely" for a further two years at least
Dicussions that took place between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and British Security Industry Association (BSIA) officials just prior to Security Management Today (SMT) going to press have resulted in the DTI stating that any implementation of changes to the Working Time Regulations is "unlikely" before the end of 2005.

The industry at large was hoping for a firm response from the Government on this issue, as much security planning depends upon contractors and end users alike knowing where they stand with regards to the legislation ('Cometh the hour...', Editorial Leader, SMT, September 2003, p3). Alas, any firm decision on the opt-out clause has yet to be reached.

Speaking exclusively to SMT about the talks, BSIA chief executive David Dickinson commented: "There has been a great deal of speculation concerning when changes to the Working Time Regulations will occur. Dates as early as November of this year have been suggested. However, the DTI has now indicated to us that the implementation of any changes to legislation in this area are likely to be at least two years away. In other words, it will not coincide with the introduction of licensing by the Security Industry Authority."

Dickinson continued: "In terms of the changes we can expect, this will become much clearer when the European Commission reports on its considerations. That's likely to be before the end of the year". Industry rumours at present suggest the report will be delivered in November.

According to Dickinson, a good many member guarding companies of the BSIA are now prescribing a 48-hour working week for their officer teams, but divisions would occur if the opt-out clause were to be dropped. "Half of the membership would be happy about a 48-hour stipulation, and the other half not so."

Dickinson also posited the idea of a campaigning strand aimed at persuading end users to recognise the fact that 60 hours' work per week per security officer is a poor state of affairs which the industry has long condoned.

Source

SMT