Filling out an application form with an employer and come across the terminology: WTR or Working Time Regulations, and whether you’d like to opt in OR opt out. Not sure which to press? Read this blog to learn all about working time regulations and which you’d like to #
This may stop you in your tracks. What is Working Time Regulations you may ask? We’re here to give you all the important information on what WTR is.
Working Time Regulations is a law which outlines how much a singular employee can work in a week along with break times, weekly rests and paid annual leave.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Maximum Weekly Working Hours
Employees have a legal right to only work a maximum of 48 hours per week on average (typically calculated over 17 weeks). You as the employee can choose to ‘OPT OUT’ of this scheme. This would be done in writing, followed with a signature. If you’ve chosen to ‘OPT OUT’, you’ll be able to work more hours than the maximum set by law.
Rest Breaks
Every employee is entitled to breaks. You can find full information on this here (LINK TO OTHER BLOG)
Daily Rest
Within 24 hours employer must provide you with a minimum of 11 hours of rest.
Weekly Rest
Within a week’s work (seven days), you will be entitled by law to a minimum of 24 hours rest, or 48 hours per two weeks. Who fancies a 6-day working week? Not us….
Night Work
If you work nights, you should not work more than 8 hours within a 24-hour period. All night workers are required to have regular health assessments.
Paid Annual Leave
We all love some time away from work, but what are you actually entitled to?
As a full-time employee, you’re entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year. Most employers request that you ask for this leave a minimum of 2 weeks prior to taking it.
Even as an agency worker, this is the too the same.
As an agency worker, your employer or umbrella agency will give a breakdown on how this is worked out. This could usually be included in your pay per week, or it will be accrued for you to release at any time.
Further information on agency worker rights can be found here (Your employment rights from the start – Agency workers – Acas)
Young Workers
Employees between ages 16-18 cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week. And in exception to adults must have a minimum of 30 30-minute breaks for every 4.5 hours worked.
There are however some exceptions to these rules.
There are some sectors where the law changes, and transport is included within this profession, along with emergency services and others.
For transport workers who operate on the road, you’ll be governed by a separate set of regulations, such as EU’S Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations, or the UK’s domestic driving hours rule. These regulations will have specific rules on drive times and rest breaks.
All of the above rules are set to protect and welfare the health and well-being of all employee’s in the UK.
As mentioned earlier in this insight, you can opt out of the 48-hour ruling. However, it is still deemed as a necessity to take the minimum requirement for breaks to ensure you can complete the tasks to a high standard, and take care of your health as a worker.
If you deem your current employment situation to not meet these minimum requirements, you can seek assistance with any union.
DROPP.UK is an agency who support multuiple employers find suitable employees for their organisation. If you are currently seeking a role within transport, logistics or warehousing, be sure to check out some of our live jobs here: Job Board – Job Search – Dropp Logistics Recruitment
Otherwise, you could register your interest in becoming an agency worker here: Register Now – Dropp Logistics Recruitment