A hot topic at the moment, and one causing concern for both employers and employees is the impact of the new Working Time Regulations.

These regulations implement in the UK the Working Time Directive which applies across the whole of the European Union.

There has been a great deal of coverage in the media over the last few months. Some of it has been helpful, and tried to set out just what the regulations mean. Some, however, has painted a distorted picture to make a political point on one side or other.

In order to address this issue, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Health & Safety Executive have just published A Guide to the Working Time Regulations. This sets out to explain clearly and in simple terms just what the regulations mean and how they apply.

The guide looks at the scope of the regulations, and defines basic terms like "worker" and "employer". It looks at both who is included and which sectors are excluded from the regulations.

It examines the way working time is calculated, and the different types of agreement which may be in place.

It then goes on to focus on specific areas within the regulations such as night work, adolescent workers, rest periods and breaks, annual leave, and any flexibilities allowed.

Finally it sets out in an easy-to-read table a summary of the regulations, showing what applies to whom and what records are required.

At the moment, this is probably the best printed guide to these regulations and should help companies to implement them.

Copies of this guide can be obtained from both Business Link and the West Yorkshire Euro Info Centre.

Paul Twiddy is information manager of Business Link Bradford & District.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.