the EC Working Time Directive precludes national rules which allow a public-sector employer compulsorily to transfer a worker employed as a fire fighter in an operational service to another service where that worker has asked not to work hours in excess of the specified maximum average weekly working time, even where the worker suffers no obvious detriment as a result of the transfer.

For relevant general notes see Working Time Regulations/direct effect and/or European Law/direct applicability of EC or EU measures and/or European Law/Directives etc/working time directive