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Working Hours
Common Questions

Which schedules require justification and approval of a senior manager?
  • The work patterns which need approval are those which feature:
  • Less than a 11 hour break between turns of duty.
  • More than 6 consecutive working days in 7, or 12 days in 14.
  • More than 6 hours between meals or refreshments.
  • Frequent changes from day to night working.
  • The Scheduling guidelines explain how to address these in terms of the compensatory rest that is needed.

 

What is night work?
Night time is the period between 11pm and 6am and those defined as night workers are those whose daily working time includes at least three hours of night time:
  • On most days;
  • On a proportion of the days you work which is specified in an agreement; or
  • Often enough for it to be said that you work such hours "as a normal course".
  • Occasional, or ad hoc, work at night does not make you a night worker.
 
What is working time?
The Working Time Regulations state that working time is when someone is "working, at his employer's disposal and carrying out his activity or duties".
 
This includes:
  • Working lunches, such as business lunches.
  • When travelling from home to a location. 
  • When undertaking job-related training
This does not include:
  • Routine travel between home and work.
  • Rest breaks when no work is done.
  • Training such as non-job-related evening classes or day-release courses.
 
What is compensatory rest?
"Compensatory rest" is normally a period of rest the same length as the period of rest, or part of a period of rest, that a worker has missed.
 
 
What activities should not be undertaken if you are tired?
Where practical, no one should be required to carry out complex, demanding or high risk tasks when they may be tired or not fully alert e.g. driving long distances at end of long working day. Consider alternative safe options e.g. sharing tasks, over-night stays to avoid late travel, use of public transport, etc.
 
 
What are the working hours limits for children?
Children's working hours defined by law table is reproduced on the Rights site.
 
In addition young Workers are not required to work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.  Those under 18 are entitled to 12 uninterrupted hours in each 24-hour period in which they work.  Only in exceptional circumstances may this be reduced. Where this occurs, they must receive compensatory rest within 3 weeks. NB there is current consultation to extend such time requirements to adults 2006.  Young workers are entitled to two days off each week. This cannot be averaged over a two-week period, and should normally be two consecutive days.
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