[fauldsh]

I might be wrong, UK law is different than the rest of the EU (you can opt out of the working time directive here).

That said, isn't it a 40 hour max on contracted hours? Otherwise it is completely un-policeable. The idea is that you can't lose your job for refusing to work past 40 hours (i.e. refusing to take overtime). But you are allowed to work the overtime if you so please.

[gambiting]

40 hours/week is maximum your contract in the UK can oblige you to work. Having said that, when I got my job in the games industry I had to sign a statement stating that I voluntarily decide to work over that limit(but I am not required to). And no, overtime is not paid.

[DanBC]

48 hours. http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtimedirective.htm

It is not legal to make you sign the opt out.

[gambiting]

Ok 48 hours. And yes, I was told I don't have to sign it, but it's one of these situations when not signing it is ill advised. And in the games industry if I was working more than 48 hours per week it would be because I want to,not because I have to.