Long working hours are damaging to business, expert warns (From Warrington Guardian)

Long working hours are damaging to business, expert warns

A CULTURE of long hours is damaging Warrington businesses, an expert is warning.

The French may be striking about plans to work more than 35 hours a week, but in Warrington it is common place.

A north west work time expert is urging companies to ditch traditional work patterns and switch to annualised hours.

This is when a system of hours is worked out over the whole year.

Kevin White, of Manchester-based Working Time Solutions, said: "People in the UK work the longest hours in the European Union - but our long-hours culture doesn't make us more efficient and can seriously damage productivity.

"Annualisation allows shift patterns to fit production and service requirements, cutting down on costly overtime and labour wastage, but giving employees more acceptable leisure time.

"When one business introduced annualised hours, the company saw absence rates halved and efficiency rise from 55 per cent to 85 per cent."

Mr White will be addressing key manufacturers from the north west at a special seminar, in Manchester, on Tuesday, March 8, at Radisson SAS Hotel, Manchester Airport.

Tickets can be booked by calling 0161 929 3333.