Summary
The Working Time Regulations 1998 implemented the EU Working Time Directive, establishing maximum working hours, rest breaks, and paid annual leave entitlements for workers in the UK.
Key Points
- Maximum 48-hour average working week (calculated over 17-week reference period)
- Workers may opt out of the 48-hour limit by written agreement
- Minimum 5.6 weeks (28 days) paid annual leave
- Rest breaks — 20-minute break where daily working time exceeds 6 hours
- Daily rest — 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period
- Weekly rest — uninterrupted 24 hours in each 7-day period
- Night work — average 8 hours in any 24-hour period