Working Hours and Overtime in The United Kingdom

What Are the Standard Working Hours in the United Kingdom?

In the UK, standard working hours are typically 37.5 to 40 hours per week, spread across Monday to Friday. Employees under 18 are limited to a maximum of 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day, with no option to opt out of these limits. For adult workers, the legal maximum is 48 hours per week on average, calculated over a 17-week period. However, employees can voluntarily choose to work more by signing an opt-out agreement. If they work more than 6 hours in a day, they are entitled to at least a 20-minute uninterrupted break. Standard working hours usually run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Maximum Working Hours in the United Kingdom

Under the UK's Working Time Regulations 1998, most employees cannot be required to work more than 48 hours per week on average, calculated over 17 weeks. This includes both regular and overtime hours. Employees can voluntarily opt out of this limit by signing a written agreement, but they cannot be forced to do so. It's important to note that certain industries, such as transportation and emergency services, have specific regulations that may allow for longer working hours under certain conditions. Employers must ensure compliance with these regulations to protect workers' health and safety.

Industry-Specific Exceptions

Some industries have unique working hour regulations due to the nature of the work. For instance:

• Healthcare: Doctors, especially junior doctors, may have different working hour limits due to training requirements and service demands. As of September 2025, new exception reporting reforms have been implemented for resident doctors in England, introducing standardized reporting routes and mandatory Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) for unsafe breaches of working hours.
 
• Transportation: Drivers and pilots are subject to specific regulations regarding working hours to ensure safety. These workers follow separate sectoral rules rather than standard Working Time Regulations.
 
• Emergency Services: Police, fire, and ambulance services may have extended hours to meet public safety needs. These workers may not take breaks during critical incidents but must receive compensatory rest after the incident.

These exceptions are designed to balance the need for services with the health and safety of workers.

Managerial and Exempt Employees

Managerial and exempt employees, often referred to as "autonomous workers," may not be subject to the standard working hour regulations. These are individuals who have significant control over their work schedules and decision-making processes. While they may not be bound by the 48-hour weekly limit, employers must still ensure that these employees are not working excessive hours that could lead to health and safety concerns.

Statutory Full-Time Working Hours in the United Kingdom

Statutory full-time employment in the UK is generally considered to be 37.5 to 40 hours per week. This standard applies across various industries and roles, providing a benchmark for full-time employment. It's important for employers to clearly define full-time working hours in employment contracts to avoid misunderstandings.

Overtime Regulations in the United Kingdom

What Counts As Overtime in the United Kingdom?

Overtime in the UK refers to any hours worked beyond the standard contractual hours. This can include extra hours worked during the week or on weekends. It's important to note that overtime must be agreed upon by both the employer and the employee, and should be clearly outlined in the employment contract.

Maximum Overtime in the United Kingdom

While there is no specific legal maximum for overtime hours, the total weekly working hours, including overtime, should not exceed the 48-hour average over a 17-week period unless the employee has opted out. Employers should ensure that overtime does not lead to excessive working hours that could compromise employee health and safety.

Overtime Payout Rates in the United Kingdom

Overtime pay rates are not mandated by law in the UK. Employers are not legally required to pay employees extra for overtime hours unless specified in the employment contract. However, it's common practice for employers to offer higher pay rates for overtime, such as time-and-a-half or double time, to compensate employees for the additional hours worked. Employers should clearly communicate overtime pay rates in employment contracts to ensure transparency.

Rest Periods and Breaks in the United Kingdom

Employees are entitled to certain rest periods and breaks to ensure their health and well-being.

 
• Daily Rest: Employees should have at least 11 consecutive hours of rest in a 24-hour period.
 
• Weekly Rest: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 hours of uninterrupted rest each week or 48 hours every two weeks.
 
• Breaks: Employees who work more than 6 hours in a day are entitled to a 20-minute uninterrupted break.

Employers are responsible for ensuring that these rest periods and breaks are provided and that employees are not working excessive hours without adequate rest.

Night Shifts and Weekend Regulations

Working during night shifts and weekends is common in certain industries, but there are specific regulations to protect workers.

 
• Night Work: Night workers must not work more than an average of 8 hours in a 24-hour period, calculated over a 17-week period. For work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain, the 8-hour limit applies per shift with no averaging.
 
• Weekend Work: While there are no specific regulations for weekend work, employees working on weekends are entitled to the same rest periods and breaks as those working during the week.

Employers should ensure that night and weekend work schedules comply with these regulations to protect employee health and safety.

How Playroll Simplifies Employer Responsibilities and Compliance

Expanding your workforce across international borders is an exciting step, but it can be challenging to keep up with ever-changing local labor laws and regulations in different countries. That's the advantage of using an Employer of Record like Playroll:

       
• Scale your global team: Legally hire and swiftly onboard new hires in 180+ regions without the red tape by offloading the HR admin to Playroll, so you can freely explore new markets and focus on growth.
       
• Stay compliant: Our built-in compliance checks and vetted contracts mean your agreements will always meet all legal requirements for working hours, overtime regulations, and more.
       
• Pay your team accurately: Ensure your international employees and global contractors are paid on time, every time, and set up centralized global payroll processes.