A new EEC Directive on working hours will cause serious security issues for the parcel industry
Trying to keep up with the myriad EEC Directives, which are constantly spawned from the Brussels hotbed of activity, is causing a nightmare for every UK industry sector. Logistics companies will not be spared the sea of paperwork as a new EEC Directive on working hours is proposed.
John Pritchard, Head of Security at Tipton based Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express is concerned about the issues of security that the proposed new legislation will jeopardise.
He said: “If the 48 hour a week rule is inflicted on to parcel carriers it will mean taking on more staff. The parcel industry as a whole has a high turnover of drivers and warehouse staff and there is already a shortage of personnel.”
He explained that in particular at Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express, because the company builds so much of its business on its secure parcel carrying reputation, there is a very comprehensive vetting system for taking on new staff. “All our employees backgrounds are investigated for up to ten years previously and potential members of staff have to give at least three personnel references. We also carry out a police check.”
He added that in comparison to other companies in the same industry, Nightspeed Secure Worldwide Express has a low turnover of staff but he says he is concerned that “If the 48 hour a week rule is inflicted on us, we will need to increase our staff, not just drivers, but in the warehouse, and in our human resources department to cope with the sudden increase in staff intake paperwork.”
The company currently employs 1,200 members of staff at its Tipton headquarters and at its 24 depots throughout the UK.
Shadow Chancellor Oliver Letwin says: “We have to create conditions in which businesses can flourish without unnecessary impediment from local and national government, from regulators and from the European Union.”
It seems that the proposed European legislation for strict working hours, will have an unwholesome flavour if it eats its way into the parcel carrying halls of industry.
