Working Time Regulations: What UK Employers Must Know

The Working Time Regulations 1998 set minimum standards for working hours, rest breaks, and annual leave. Workers cannot be required to work more than an average of 48 hours per week, calculated over a 17-week reference period. They can opt out of the 48-hour limit — but the opt-out must be voluntary, in writing, and can be withdrawn with seven days' notice.

Rest entitlements include: at least 11 consecutive hours' rest between working days, at least one day off per seven days (or two days off per fortnight), and a 20-minute rest break if the working day is longer than six hours. Night workers — those who regularly work between midnight and 5am — are subject to an eight-hour average working time limit and are entitled to free health assessments.

Keeping accurate working time records is a legal requirement, though HMRC and employment tribunals approach enforcement differently. The most common claims arise from rest breaks — a worker who was required to work through their break has a potential claim. Mellow's time and attendance module records actual hours worked, flags approaching 48-hour averages, and logs rest breaks for shift workers. For businesses running multiple shifts, this visibility is not optional — it is the evidence that stands between you and a working time claim.