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Working Time Regulations

Making you aware of the current working time regulations and what you are entitled to.

The Working Time Regulations 1998 is designed with your health and safety in mind. The following is a very brief summary of the regulations - if you have any further queries, please ask your local office for more details.

Working Hours

Under the terms of your contract you are not required to work any given hours. However, where you are working on assignments for JSS, under the Working Time Regulations 1998, you should not be required to work more than an average of 48 hours a week over a 17 week period, unless you agree to do so in writing. Although temporary or contract work is all about flexibility and from time to time companies may want you to work for longer hours, you are under no obligation to do so.

Rest Breaks

You are entitled to 11 hours rest from work in each 24 hours. The company to which you are assigned should allow you a break from work of 20 minutes, if your assignment lasts for more than 6 hours a day. If it is practical, you should take this away from your work station. You should make arrangements with the client about rest and lunch breaks.

Night Work

If you are asked to work at night (between 11pm and 6am) you should not work more than 8 hours in every 24, averaged over 17 weeks (or however many weeks you have worked if it is less than 17 weeks).

Weekly Rest

You are entitled to a minimum of 1 day's rest from work each week, or 2 days every 2 weeks.

What are the current rates of the national minimum wage?

There are three levels of minimum wage, and the rates from 1st October 2009 are:

£5.73 per hour for workers aged 22 years and older

A development rate of £4.60 per hour for workers aged 18-21 inclusive

£3.40 per hour for all workers under the age of 18, who are no longer of compulsory school age.