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 HSE or local authority environmental health officers, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency and the Office for Road and Rail. An employer who fails to keep to the regulations is breaking the law and can be prosecuted, although prosecutions are very rare.

Statutory rights to daily and weekly rest periods, rest breaks, compensatory rest and annual leave are enforceable by workers at employment tribunals (although see above on the government’s proposals to bring in civil enforcement penalties to enforce holiday pay rights).