Shorter working hours destroying families

The government was yesterday forced to admit that its strategy to reduce employee working hours to encourage fathers see more of their children each day has turned out to be a disaster.

Reports from around the UK tell of men arriving home and disrupting the routine of the household, upsetting wives, and terrifying children. Shunned by their irritated kids and with only Monster Truck Smashes showing on Sky Sports in the late afternoon, the despair of having nothing useful to do has proved devastating to many men.

Suicide rates among such fathers have now risen to unprecedented levels. The Samaritans are taking on more staff and the NSPCC has reported a 125 per cent increase in calls from children distraught at their father getting home and asking them to play in the garden when all they wanted was to be left alone on their Playstations.

It is believed to be only a matter of time before the Prince of Wales pens Lord Irvine a letter on the matter.

The latest government U-turn involves those working being kept away from their place of residence for a minimum number of hours each month. Whether or not they have finished their jobs they will not be allowed to return to their homes until this period is up. Leo Blair has reportedly requested that in his case it apply to both parents.

The shorter working hours initiative that was originally introduced in France did not encounter the same problems. However, exhaustive research there has uncovered that this was because men finishing work did not return straight home but went to the nearest bar.