Working Time Regulations
Claims

Working Time Regulations

The Working Time Regulations came into force following the introduction of the Working Time Regulations 1998. The Regulations provide workers with the following rights:-

• Average 48 hour week. Workers can opt to work longer should they wish. The average worked is averaged out over 17 weeks (or whatever period the worker has actually worked should it be shorter than 17 weeks). The period it is averaged out over is known as the ‘reference period’ and it can be extended to 26 weeks in certain instances (e.g. hospital work). It can also be extended by up to 52 weeks where permitted under a relevant workforce or collective agreement.
• Night workers: limit of 8 hours work average in 24 hours. Where the work involves special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the 8 hour limit applies as an absolute daily maximum rather than an average.
• Night workers: right to free health assessment both prior to commencing work and at regular intervals thereafter.
• Uninterrupted rest break of 11 hours in every 24 hours.
• 24 hours uninterrupted rest in every 7 day period, or 48 hours uninterrupted rest in every 14 day period.
• Rest break of 20 minutes for every period of more than 6 hours worked consecutively.
• 5.6 weeks paid leave per annum.
• Sufficient additional rest breaks for those where the nature of their work places their health and safety at risk.