When it comes to your employment, many people feel they are being treated unfairly, or aren’t sure what they are doing qualifies under the current employment law. Maybe your working more hours than you should, or you haven’t been allowed a lunch break for a few days. Whatever it is, if you feel you are being treated unfairly, speak to your employer. If he/she doesn’t want to help and isn’t cooperating, then think about getting in touch with an Employment Tribunal and speak about maybe making a claim.

Working week hours

Adult workers cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours a week. This is averaged out over 17 weeks. If one week you worked 60 hours, as long as you worked less the following week, you are still in keeping with the legal amount of time. However you are not covered by the working time limit if you have one of the following; a job where you can choose freely how long you want to work, in the armed forces, emergency services, the police, a domestic servant, or a sea transport worker. If you want to work more than the 48 hour legal time limit, your decision must be voluntary and to have it in writing, with a proof of signature. Under 18’s can work no more than 40 hours a week; they can’t opt out of the 48 hour legal time limit.

Breaks

There are 3 varieties of breaks you get during your working week. A break that occurs every day of work, is called a rest break, or known as a lunch break, and or any other short breaks taken throughout the day. At the end of your working day, when you go home, this is known as a daily rest; finishing one day before starting another. Weekly rest refers to the whole days you have off during your working week, also known as the weekend. Most of these types of rest are unpaid, apart from the rest breaks (lunch breaks); many of these are paid, but refer back to your contract, as it is not a legal requirement to pay for rest breaks. Adult workers are entitled to a 20 minute break for every 6 hours of work. The break must be taken in one block, and can’t be taken off the end of a working day, must be taken around the middle. You also have the right to at least an 11 hour daily rest between your working days, and 24 hours of no work whatsoever every week.

Working overtime

Currently there is no legal right to pay for extra working hours, unless stated by your employer. Again this will be recorded in your contract, as it should include details of overtime pay rates. Many employers will offer you time off instead of paying for your overtime, this should be agreed between you and your employer. You only have to work overtime if your contract states so. You cannot be forced to work more than the 48 hour legal time limit a week. If you are being pushed to work more than this, talk with your employer, if unresolved, think about getting in touch with an Employment Tribunal.