Removing the UK's working time opt-out would restrict employees' freedom and damage their career prospects, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

The claim by the CBI precedes a EU committee meeting to discuss whether the UK will be allowed to keep the opt-out of the 48-hour week that the Working Time Directive established in most European member states.

"The legislation proposed by some politicians would impose a ban on working longer hours and not take into account individual circumstances and ambitions," said John Cridland, deputy director general of the CBI.