Chapter 7 Key facts checklists

Working time

The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) implement the Working Time Directive 1993 and parts of the Young Workers Directive 1994.
The WTR impose a maximum 48-hour week during a 17-week reference period and provide rules on night work, rest periods, and annual leave. Note that therefore the maximum is not a 48-hour working week but an average of not more than 48 hours in each 17-week period.
UK workers can agree (they may have little choice) to opt out of the 48-hour week and there are EU-wide provisions for determining the rules by collective and workforce agreements.
Entitlement to paid annual leave arises if an individual has been a worker during all or part of a leave year but does not depend on the person actually performing work.
Employers must permit employees who are officials of independent trade unions recognised by them to take reasonable time off with pay. Members of a recognised independent trade union are entitled to reasonable time off during working hours for trade union activities and to represent the union.
A person who has been continuously employed for two years or more and is under notice of dismissal for redundancy is entitled to reasonable time off, during working hours, to look for work.