Please give an outline of the WEEKLY WORKING HOURS, BREAKS AND REST PERIODS as allowed under legislation?

Weekly Working Hours

Under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 the maximum average working week is 48 hours. The working week average is calculated in one of the following ways:

–              Over a four month period (which applies to most employees)

–              Over a six month period (for employees working in certain industries)

–              Over a 12 month period (where there is an agreement between the employees and their employer which has been approved by the Labour Court)

(There are different weekly working hours for young people aged under 18 and these are fixed by the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996)

Breaks and Rest Periods

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 lays down what breaks and rest periods an employee is entitled to but it also provides that some employees are exempt from these provisions in certain circumstances.

Therefore, in general, but with some exceptions:

–              An employee is entitled to an 11 hour rest period in each 24 hour period during which they work for their employer.

–              For every 4.5 hours worked, an employee is entitled to a 15 minute break

–              For every 6.5 hours worked an employee is entitled to a 30 minute break

–              In each 7 day period worked, an employee is entitled to a rest period of 24 consecutive hours