Working Time Regulations

The time that employees may work in the UK is governed by the Working Time Regulations 1998. This law stipulates:

1. How long an employee may work during a shift without a break;
2. How many hours an employee may work in a week at the most;
3. What rest periods are compulsory between days and nights of work.

The Working Time Regulations appertain to nearly all businesses and workers.

The most important rules state that all employees aged 18 and over have the right to:

• 5.6 weeks’ holiday (28 work days plus 8 public and bank holidays) a year;
• Work no more than 48 hours an average week. However, an employee may agree in writing to work longer.
• Work no more than 6 days out of every 7, or 12 day out of every 14;
• Have a 20-minute break if the shift is longer than 6 hours;

Employees under 18 may work no more than 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day. They are entitled to 5.6 weeks of holiday per year.

By and large, working time is defined as the time when the employee is available for his employer. Working time includes the following components and should be accordingly calculated:

• Employee’s availability to carry out his contractual duties;
• Time spent to do the actual work;
• Work-related training;
• Travelling as part of employee’s duties;
• Travelling between places of work;
• Waiting time for a delivery or loading;
• Working lunches and meetings;

Working time does not include:

• Travelling between home and work;
• Being available on call at home;
• Breakfast and lunch breaks or other short breaks for example between shifts;
• Evening or day-release courses;
• Holidays and other absences at the place of work;
• Strikes and other protest actions.

If you need any help to cope with the Working Time Regulations, contact Capital Business Links Ltd on telephone number 0208 567 99 44 or at our e-mail address.