Working Time Regulations 1998
The UK law setting maximum working hours, minimum rest breaks, and statutory paid holiday entitlement.
The Working Time Regulations 1998 are the core UK law governing how much someone can be required to work, and the rest and holiday they're entitled to in return. They implement, and in places go beyond, earlier EU working-time law, and remain in force (with UK-specific amendments since) after Brexit.
The headline limits: a 48-hour average maximum working week (averaged over 17 weeks, unless the worker has opted out in writing), at least 11 consecutive hours' rest in any 24-hour period, at least one uninterrupted 20-minute break during any working day longer than 6 hours, and at least one full rest day per week (or two per fortnight).
On holiday, the Regulations set the statutory minimum at 5.6 weeks' paid leave a year — capped at 28 days for someone working a standard 5-day week. UK bank holidays count towards this statutory minimum rather than being added on top, though many employers choose to give bank holidays in addition to the 5.6-week entitlement as a matter of policy, not law.
Key facts
- 48-hour average maximum working week, unless the individual has opted out in writing
- Minimum 11 hours' rest between working days, plus a 20-minute break during any shift over 6 hours
- Statutory holiday minimum: 5.6 weeks per year, capped at 28 days for a standard 5-day week
- Bank holidays are part of the 28-day statutory total in UK law, not additional to it, unless an employer's contract says otherwise
Checked 2026-08. Rates and thresholds change — always confirm current figures on GOV.UK before relying on them.
Crewkind tracks this for you automatically
Free for a year while you're under five employees — no credit card required.