The maximum working week

The maximum working week is set at 48 hours per week when averaged over what is called the “reference period” (Regulation 4). This means that workers can legally work more than 48 hours in some weeks, as long as they work less than 48 hours in others. The reference period is normally 17 weeks, but can be extended to 26 weeks in some cases. It can also be extended to 52 weeks by agreement only. Employers cannot make workers do more than these hours (Barber v RJB Mining [1999] IRLR 308).