Working Time Regulations
The Working Time Regulations 1998 implement EU law in the UK, limiting average working hours to 48 per week and providing minimum rest breaks and annual leave.
legal-terms
Category
intermediate
Difficulty
6 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
The Working Time Regulations 1998 implement EU law in the UK, limiting average working hours to 48 per week and providing minimum rest breaks and annual leave.
Detailed explanation
The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) are UK laws implementing the EU Working Time Directive, establishing limits on working hours and minimum rest entitlements.
Key provisions include a 48-hour average working week limit (calculated over 17 weeks), 11 consecutive hours rest per day, a 20-minute break for shifts over 6 hours, and 5.6 weeks (28 days for full-time) statutory annual leave.
Workers can opt out of the 48-hour limit in writing, but cannot opt out of rest breaks or annual leave. Employers must keep records of working time.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employers track working hours, provide required rest breaks, ensure annual leave is taken, and obtain written opt-outs from 48-hour limit if needed.
Best practices
Track all working hours accurately
Obtain written opt-outs where needed
Monitor for excessive working
Ensure breaks are taken
Plan annual leave to be taken in year
Legal context
Legal basis
Working Time Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1833)
Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
Key provisions
48-hour average maximum working week
11 hours consecutive rest per 24 hours
20-minute break for shifts over 6 hours
24 hours uninterrupted rest per week
5.6 weeks (28 days) minimum annual leave
Night worker limits and health assessments
Official source
Frequently asked questions
Can I opt out of the 48-hour limit?
Yes, workers can voluntarily sign a written opt-out. You can cancel this with notice (usually 7 days to 3 months). You cannot be penalized for refusing to opt out.
Does working time include lunch breaks?
No, working time does not include breaks where you are not working. However, if you work through lunch, that time counts toward your working hours.
Related glossary terms
Annual Leave
Annual leave is paid time off from work that employees are entitled to take each year for rest, relaxation, and personal activities.
Overtime Rate
Overtime rate measures the proportion of total hours worked that exceed standard working hours, indicating workload pressure and potential burnout risk.