IT contractors should be allowed to work longer hours if they choose to, but keeping them happy is the most important thing, according to a working practices organisation.

Last week, the government pledged to fight against the EU's plans to limit the number of weekly working hours and retain UK firms' opt-out option.

Many workers may choose to work longer hours to pay off debts, according to Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK.

However, the happiness of employees is more important than the number of hours they work, with home-working a flexible solution, Mr Flaxton adds.

"In theory a more contented workforce, even in the recession, means that productivity is unlikely to be severely affected," he said.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also backed the right to opt-out, saying it was wrong for the EU to decide what British workers could or could not do.

BRC director Jane Milne said it was "good news" for British workers that they could take on overtime to pay personal debts.