MacLennon v Hartford Europe Group Ltd

The recent UK case of MacLennon v Hartford Europe Group Ltd [2012] EWHC 346 (QBD) gives some helpful guidance on the response required from an employer whose employees work long hours. In this case the employee in question worked 55-60 hours per week, including carrying out some work at weekends and in the evenings. The Court found that this fact alone did not establish that it was reasonably foreseeable that the employee would suffer a breakdown in health. In making its finding, the High Court also had regard to the fact there were compensatory rest periods in place for weekend work and that the employee was afforded generous annual leave entitlements. The court held that long hours of