48 hour working week- Opt out

[Submarine]

Hi all, any help appreciated on this one.

I want to opt out of the 48 hour working week regulation in order to work more hours. I'm not in one of the occupations listed on gov.uk as being unable to do this. The hours are available in my occupation and with my employer. They're saying, however, that they won't recognise the opt-out form as on the gov.uk website. I'm unable to find any information in the internet about them being allowed to refuse this. Is this legal? Thanks in advance

[ULA]

If they do not recognise the gov form, have you asked if the company has their own version of the form to give you? If they do not have their own form and do no accept the gov form, then next thing would be to ask then to let you know what the process is for opting out of the 48-hour working week.

[Submarine]

No, they don't have their own version unfortunately. I've spoken with my team leader, who says the organisation doesn't let people opt out of it, even though I can't find anything saying they can legally do that. Thanks

[ULA]

An employer has a legal obligation to ensure its workers to not work more than 48 hours per week. It may be that the company has a policy in this respect that even if an employee wants to opt out, they would not ask them to work on average over a 17-week period, more than 48 hours per week.