Its Funny I always thought that UK employment standards were more rigid than in Canada . Obviously not now. This would be illegal in Canada. Any hours in excess of 44 in anyone week must be paid at 1.5 hourly rate , Sunday at 2.0 and public holidays at 2.5. There are also regulations concerning maximum hours and time between shifts. This applies to all permenant workers ( not managers ). There are also some rules on reductions in work week.
On the down side ,paid vacations start at 10 days per years , after you have accumulated them ( ie no paid vacation first year of work It was a bit of an adjustment) . Laying off people is much easier ( if defines as temporary with no compensation ), there is not regulation on paid sick days .
EC Canada had Great Christmas Parties for adults and kids ( not sure now ) and in the dim distant past a family day with BBQ and helicopter rides . Give my best to Markus , I always found him a straight shooter.