Your Rights to Time Off and Fair Working Hours

The Working Time Regulations 1998 provide a framework of rights to protect your health and safety by ensuring you get adequate rest and time away from work.

The 48-Hour Week

The law states that you cannot be required to work more than an average of 48 hours per week. This is usually averaged over a 17-week period. You can voluntarily agree in writing to "opt out" of this 48-hour limit, but your employer cannot force you to do so, nor can they treat you unfairly if you refuse. You can also cancel your opt-out agreement at any time by giving the required notice.

Rest Breaks

Rest is a key part of workplace health and safety. You are legally entitled to:

  • A Daily Rest Break: An uninterrupted break of at least 20 minutes if you work for more than 6 hours in a day. This should be taken during your shift, not at the beginning or end.

  • Daily Rest: At least 11 hours of rest between finishing work and starting work the next day.

  • Weekly Rest: An uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week (or 48 hours each fortnight).

Paid Annual Leave (Holidays)

All workers in the UK are legally entitled to paid time off.

  • Your Entitlement: The statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year.

  • For a full-time worker (5 days a week): This translates to 28 days of paid leave.

  • For part-time workers: Your entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis. For example, if you work 3 days a week, you are entitled to 16.8 days of paid leave (3 days × 5.6 weeks).

Your employer can include bank holidays as part of your statutory 5.6-week entitlement.