Skip to content
TimeTracking
Labor law

Working time rules in the United Kingdom

The Working Time Regulations 1998 set limits on working hours and minimum rest for workers in the UK. Here is what they say, what they mean for rosters, and where to read the official text.

Start freeSee pricing

Last reviewed: · Working Time Regulations 1998

The rules at a glance

General statutory rules for adult employees, with the article and official source for each.
TopicRuleSource
Weekly working timeAt most 48 hours per week on average over a 17-week reference period; workers can opt out individually in writingreg. 4
Night workNight workers work on average no more than 8 hours in each 24 hoursreg. 6
Daily rest11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour periodreg. 10
Weekly rest24 uninterrupted hours in each 7 days, or 48 hours in each 14 daysreg. 11
Rest breaks20 minutes when daily working time is more than 6 hoursreg. 12
Annual leave5.6 weeks per year: 4 weeks under regulation 13 plus 1.6 weeks under regulation 13Areg. 13, 13A
RecordsRecords adequate to show compliance with the limits, kept for 2 years; since 2024 employers need not record daily hours if they can show compliance without themreg. 9

Last reviewed:

The 48-hour week and the opt-out

Workers may work at most 48 hours per week on average, measured over a 17-week reference period. Individual weeks can be longer, as long as the average holds. Workers can opt out of the 48-hour limit individually and in writing; an employer cannot force them to.

Night workers may work on average no more than 8 hours in each 24 hours. Because averages are involved, the only reliable way to show compliance is to keep track of hours over time.

Rest, breaks and leave

Workers are entitled to 11 consecutive hours of rest in each 24-hour period, and to 24 uninterrupted hours in each 7 days, or 48 hours in each 14 days. When daily working time is more than 6 hours, they get a rest break of 20 minutes.

Annual leave is 5.6 weeks per year: 4 weeks under regulation 13 plus 1.6 weeks under regulation 13A. Leave interacts with rosters, so plan it in the same place as shifts.

Records

Employers must keep records adequate to show compliance with the limits, and keep them for 2 years. Since 2024, the regulations say explicitly that employers do not need to record daily working hours if they can show compliance without them. In practice, for shift work, overtime and night work, recorded hours are usually the simplest proof.

How TimeTracking helps

TimeTracking records start, end and breaks for every shift and keeps every change in an audit log, so you have evidence for the 48-hour average and rest periods when you need it. Leave and rosters sit in the same app, and approved hours are exported to payroll as CSV or XLSX. A UK rule pack with warnings for the limits above is not built in, so check the rules yourself. TimeTracking is free for up to 5 users; Core costs €1 and Pro €3 per user per month.

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum working week in the UK?

48 hours per week on average over a 17-week reference period. Workers can opt out individually in writing.

When is a rest break required in the UK?

When daily working time is more than 6 hours, workers are entitled to a 20-minute rest break.

Do UK employers have to record working hours?

They must keep records adequate to show compliance, for 2 years. Since 2024, daily hours need not be recorded if compliance can be shown without them.

Related pages

Try TimeTracking free

Free for up to 5 users. Core from €1 per user per month, everything included.

Start freeSee pricing