What Do They Mean To You?

So you’ve been offered the job…but what about the working hours? Just how many hours can your employer expect you to work in a week?

You’ll find the answers in The Working Time Regulations. Brought into force in October 1998, they have since been subject to various amendments with regard to specific groups of workers and to young people.

Optus Director Justin Weir explained: “Basically, the Regulations mean that most workers should not have to work more than an average of 48 hours a week.

“The Regulations provide rights and protections which include a limit of an average of 48 hours a week which a worker can be required to work. However, workers can choose to work more if they want to.

“Other entitlements are a right to 11 hours rest a day, a day off each week, an in-work rest break if the working day is longer than 6 hours and 4 weeks paid leave per year. For nightworkers there is a limit of an average of eight hours work in 24 which they can be required to work. They also have a right to receive free health assessments.”

Currently, the question of opting out of the 48-hour limit is going through a negotiating process in Europe. “This means that at present workers in the UK are still able to choose to opt out of the weekly working time limits,” said Justin.

For more information on the Regulations, check out the Government websites or the Health and Safety Executive.