Essential points

  • The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides employees with a number of key entitlements in relation to minimum rest periods and maximum working hours. 
  • The Act is largely a health and safety measure (to control the number of hours worked) – it does not mandate payment for time worked.  
  • Working time is any time the employee spends at their place of work carrying out the duties of the employment. It includes time spent on-call at the employer’s premises but (in general) does not include time on-call at home. Time spent on breaks (paid or unpaid) is not working time.

Content

To continue reading, log in or become a member

Affiliate membership offers instant access to CIPD resources without the need for assessments or study, or explore your options to become a professional member of the CIPD to demonstrate your commitment to the world of work.

  • Access to exclusive, up-to-date resources
  • Become part of a community to learn, debate and connect with other people professionals
  • Free access to a series of CIPD learning courses and a discount on the rest of our catalogue
Instant access Explore membership

Please note

While every care has been taken in compiling this content, neither the CIPD nor Byrne Wallace Shields may be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.

 

Employment
law advice

Want more employment law advice? Members can take out a discounted subscription to HR-inform for additional resources.

HR-inform Ireland
Callout Image

More on this topic

Data

Data hub

Explore the evidence behind workforce trends

More employment law resources

Employment law

Retirement: Ireland employment law

Information on the law relating to retirement ages

For Members
Employment law

Pay and pensions: Ireland employment law

Information on the legal issues relating to employers’ pension obligations and the law relating to voluntary tips and gratuities

For Members
Employment law

Redundancy: Ireland employment law

Information on the law relating to redundancy, including the notice of redundancy, redundancy pay and time off

For Members
Employment law

Gender Pay Gap: Ireland employment law

Information on the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 and the EU Pay Transparency Directive

For Members