Firms attacked over long-hours culture

THE TUC today attacked the 'obsession' of employers with long working hours as it urged the Government to help promote more flexible employment arrangements.

The TUC, which speaks for the country's trade unions, said the long-hours culture was damaging personal lives and helping to maintain the gender pay gap.

In a submission to the Government on flexible working, the TUC said the right to ask for changes to working hours or conditions should be extended beyond those with young children.

It said new rights introduced for parents by Labour were merely a 'sticking plaster' over the obsession with long hours.

Despite recent improvements in maternity pay, mothers in the UK received less money than most new mothers across Europe, so they had to return to work far sooner than they would prefer.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Long-hours working is the biggest demon facing UK workers. Many fathers find themselves spending extra hours at work when they would rather be at home, which in turn forces their partners to reduce their hours and pay to run the home and look after children.

'A better work-life balance where men and women could spend more time with their families and be less stressed at work would be in everyone's interest.'