As working time is one of the core aspects of employment law, the EU Working Time Directive 2003/88/EG is one of the most important pieces of EU social policy legislation. The Court of Justice of the European Union receives many preliminary questions from national courts, therefore its case law is key to understand the correct interpretation of the Directive. To help national authorities, courts and employers and employees to follow the evolutions in the case law of the Court, the European Commission publishes interpretative communications. The new communication is an update of the last one from 2017, since then the CJEU has delivered more than 30 judgements on the Directive.
The communication argues that the interpretation of the Working Time Directive needs to be updated to reflect the changing nature of work and technological advancements while maintaining a balance between work and rest to ensure the protection of workers’ health and safety. It also refers to the impact of Covid-19.
