Working Time
The hours of work in any service area will reflect the needs and activities of that service. All employees will have an agreed working profile that sets out their working pattern, guaranteed minimum number of contracted hours and base salary. For part-time employees, annualised hours and holidays are worked out in proportion to full-time equivalents. Any working pattern must take account of European working time directive rules governing weekly working time and rest breaks, and any other job-related rules concerning rest breaks. Under the EU’s Working Time Directive every worker is entitled to:
- a limit to weekly working time, which must not exceed 48 hours on average, including any overtime. (By completing an Opt-out agreement you can work in excess of this amount as long as you meet the remaining working time directive rest periods. An opt-out form is available here.)
- a minimum daily rest period, of 11 consecutive hours in every 24
- a 20 minute rest break during working time, if the worker is on duty for longer than six hours
- a minimum weekly rest period of 24 uninterrupted hours for each seven-day period (or 48hrs per fortnight)
- extra protection in the case of night work (for example, average working hours must not exceed 8 hours per 24-hour period; night workers must not perform heavy or dangerous work for longer than 8 hours in any 24-hour period;
Standard Hours
The standard working week for a full-time employee is 37 hours covering 365 days a year.
Night Staff
Night Staff who are contracted 73.5 hours per fortnight are considered as full time employees.
Other Working Patterns
These may include term-time working, condensed hours, part-time, job-share, annualised hours etc. Further details are available in the Work-life Balance Policy which is available to view here.