Union: time's up for excessive hours

Managers of three pubs have been granted out-of-court settlements of up to £50,000 after arguing that their companies had breached working time regulations.

The cases are subject to confidentiality clauses but the MA understands that one pub management couple received £50,000, another manager got £20,000 and one more returned to work with improved working conditions, including extra staff. All the managers worked between 60 and 80 hours per week.

The union Licensees Unite has been representing managers wanting to take action under the European Working Time Directive.

The directive limits the working week for employees to 48 hours, although the UK has negotiated an opt-out. However, Unite argued that the companies failed to satisfy the conditions needed for the opt-out.

Chiefly, they were unable to provide paperwork that showed clearly how long managers had worked.

Unite argued that live-in managers would often help out while not officially working — for example, by answering the phone or helping in the cellar. These hours had not been factored into managers' shifts, Unite argued.

Dave Daly, Licensees Unite National Committee member, said: "We are prepared to go to a tribunal. We all need to know what we can and can't do.

"The pubcos don't want to go to a tribunal over this because it will set a precedent."

This week Unite called for a 48-hour working week for all pub managers, plus a minimum 25 days' annual holiday and more protection from violence.

Jennie Formby, Unite's national officer for the hospitality sector, said: "Working 60 to 70 hours a week is just not acceptable and the health of our members is suffering."

"Our officials have reported a significant increase in cases of ill health retirement over recent years as pub chains cut costs forcing managers to operate with fewer staff, and we see a direct link with the long hours they work."