Working time: UK employment law

Essential points

• The Working Time Regulations 1998 govern working hours in the UK. The regulations set a maximum average of 48 hours for the working week (although workers can opt out of this restriction) and provide for minimum rest periods during the working day, between working days and in each week, and provide for the right to paid leave.
• The Working Time Regulations were built on the back of the European Working Time Directive. Even though the UK is no longer a member of the EU, the Working Time Regulations remain in the UK.  
• Working time is any period when the employee or worker is working at the employer’s disposal and carrying out their duties.  
• Working time does not normally include time resting at the end of the day, lunch breaks, or on call time away from the workplace and not carrying out duties.  
• A worker or employee may make a tribunal claim if they are denied their entitlements under the regulations. Compensation, based on loss, is potentially unlimited.  
• This page outlines current relevant legislation that should be followed.
• The page includes all essential information, as well as emerging themes such as employers' obligations when employees are working second jobs (‘side hustles’).
• The government is making many changes in the field of employment law. Areas of working time are expected to be consulted upon during 2026.