Working hours and time off work

Understand the basics of the Working Time Regulations in the UK, working hours trends, holidays and special leave.

The UK's Working Time Regulations 1998 lay down the minimum conditions relating to weekly working time, rest entitlements and annual leave in the UK, although UK employees can opt out of the provisions relating to the minimum 48-hour working week.

This factsheet outlines employees' basic rights and protections relating to working time. It also outlines the leave which employers must provide as parental leave, as well as time off for personal and domestic reasons.

On this page

• The UK legal position
• Holidays
• Flexible working
• Lay-offs and short-time working
• Special leave
• Useful contacts and further reading

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