Guidance To Employers On The Working Time Regulations 1998.

(Revised January 2002.)

Purpose

To enable employers to take advantage of Derogations provided in the Regulations so as to operate with a flexible schedule at varying locations.
To ensure that adequate objective evidence is maintained to demonstrate compliance to HSE or other Inspectors and to Industrial Tribunals.

Scope

Applicable to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Service Industry.

Considering the following Requirements:

(i) The maximum weekly working time, 48 hours in 7 days,
(ii) The reference period for the average weekly working time, 17 weeks,
(iii) Provision of Compensatory Rest, for ANY Rest Period or Break missed or “overlapped”,
(iv) The maintenance of records.
(v) The duration and Management of Night Work.

Considering the following Entitlements:

(vi) Daily Rest Period, 11 hours in 24 hours,
(vii) Weekly Rest Period, 24 hours in 7 days,
(viii) Rest Breaks, 20 minutes minimum after 6 hours work, NO Rest Period or Break should “overlap”.
(ix) Annual Leave, 4 weeks

For detailed definitions and advice on actions you should consider in relation to drawing up a Workforce Agreement please contact us for the full report or to arrange for a consultant to visit.