Enforcement of the WTR

WTR enforcement is split between different authorities. The restrictions on the maximum working week, night work and work patterns are enforceable by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or local authority environmental health officers, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Office for Road and Rail (ORR). An employer who fails to keep to the regulations is breaking the law and can be prosecuted. Prosecutions are rare.

Statutory rights to daily and weekly rest periods, rest breaks, compensatory rest and annual leave are enforceable by workers at employment tribunals.