Working Time Directive
Our friends in Brussels introduced these regulations in the year 2000 and amended them in 2003 to tie in with the updated Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Act.
This act creates the right for you to have a minimum number of holidays each year, paid rest breaks and the right to rest for at least 11 hours in any 24 hours. The Directive also restricts the amount of night time work you do, and a right to work no more than 48 hours each week.
The purpose of these regulations was to improve your health and safety at work as it was widely believed that excessive time at work was proving to be a major cause of illness, depression and stress.
The UK, along with a number of other EU countries, negotiated for the regulations to also include the ability for you to opt out to the section which restricts working hours to 48 hours each week. You can’t opt out of any part of the other regulations so even if you opt out of the working week restrictions you are still entitled to the rest of the provisions of the regulations.
We’ll do our best to break down the regulations here, but remember, it’s our job to answer any of your questions at any time, so just ask away if you have any. You can reach us on 0844 854 5235 talk to us live by clicking here or request us to call you back at a convenient time for you by clicking here.
There are some exceptions to these guidelines, and more regulations apply if you’re aged 15-18 – so remember to treat this as a guide. If you have any specific questions regarding your own personal situation we’d be happy to answer them for you.
Working Week
So, what is the working week classed as? Well, it includes job related training, travelling time, time spent out of the UK for a UK company, paid and some unpaid overtime (if you didn’t volunteer it), time spent on call at work, and business lunches.
You should remember that it doesn’t include your holiday.
Rest Breaks
You’re entitled to a minimum:-
- Daily Rest Break of 11 hours between finishing your job and starting the next day
- Weekly Rest Day of 24 hours within each seven day period
- Fortnightly Rest Period of 48 consecutive hours within each 14 day period.
- 20 minutes rest break if you’re working day is more than six hours long
The first 2 type of rest breaks are generally unpaid. The 20 minute break may be paid or unpaid, depending on what it states in your contract of employment
