Essential points

  • The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 provides employees with a number of key entitlements in relation to minimum rest periods and maximum working hours. 
  • The Act is largely a health and safety measure (to control the number of hours worked) – it does not mandate payment for time worked.  
  • Working time is any time the employee spends at their place of work carrying out the duties of the employment. It includes time spent on-call at the employer’s premises but (in general) does not include time on-call at home. Time spent on breaks (paid or unpaid) is not working time.

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Please note

While every care has been taken in compiling this content, neither the CIPD nor ByrneWallace LLP may be held responsible for any errors or omissions. These notes are not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice.

 

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