Long title ... Royal assent 1998 | Citation SI 1998/1833 | |
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Territorial extent England and Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland | ||
The Working Time Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1833) is the United Kingdom statutory instrument which implements the EU Working Time Directive 2003/88/EC.
These Regulations govern the time that people in the UK may work. The Regulations apply to all workers (not just employees) and stipulate minimum rest breaks, daily rest, weekly rest and the maximum average working week. First, it sets a default rule that workers may work no more than 48 hours per week (although one may opt out of it). Secondly, it grants a mandatory right to paid annual leave of at least a minimum of 28 days (including bank holidays and public holidays). Thirdly, it creates the right to a minimum period of rest of 20 minutes in any shift lasting over 6 hours.
ECJ case law has confirmed that statutory holiday will continue to accrue during career breaks or sabbaticals.