Working time regulations applies to full time, part time, agency and casual workers.
The basic provisions are:-
- The average working week is limited to 48 hours except if they choose to opt out of this limit. An employee will be able to bring the agreement to an end without the employer's consent. The 48 hours is averaged over a 17 week period;
- Night-workers are allowed an average of 8 hours daily work over an average of 17 weeks with free health assessments to ensure they are able to continue to do night-work;
- An employee is entitled to a minimum of one day off per week;
- Rest break of 20 minutes during working hours if they work longer than 6 hours and 11 consecutive hours rest between each working day;
- A minimum of 28 days paid leave per year (including bank holidays and public holidays).
If an employee is dismissed or made redundant for taking their entitled holidays or breaks this can amount to unfair dismissal.