{ "name": "Weekrota Working Time Rules", "title": "Working Time Rules", "url": "https://weekrota.com/datasets/working-time-rules/", "csv": "https://weekrota.com/datasets/working-time-rules.csv", "markdown": "https://weekrota.com/datasets/working-time-rules/index.md", "computed_at": "2026-10-18", "license": "https://weekrota.com/terms", "headline": "The Working Time Rules carries 6 published figures read from 11 sources' own pages, from 5.60 to 17 week, read 17 October 2026.", "quotes": [ "The Working Time Rules carries 6 published figures read from 11 sources' own pages, from 5.60 to 17 week, read 17 October 2026.", "11 of the 19 named sources read in full publish a figure; 8 publish none, read 17 October 2026." ], "citation": "\"Weekrota Working Time Rules\", updated 2026-10-18, https://weekrota.com/datasets/working-time-rules/.", "changed_since": null, "national": { "unit": "week", "n": 6, "median": 17, "min": 5.6, "max": 17, "p25": 14.15, "p75": 17, "mean": 15.1, "units": { "day": 2, "hour": 5, "month": 1, "week": 6 }, "published_sources": 11, "named_sources": 19, "read_sources": 19, "not_published": 8, "published_share": 0.579 }, "by_axis": {}, "rows": [ { "source": "GOV.UK: Holiday entitlement rights", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights", "figure": "5.6 weeks", "value": 5.6, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "quote": "Almost all people classed as workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year (known as statutory leave entitlement or annual leave).", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "7a6d6d2959e4abcdc4f428f6d53bff5946154d9caf367a398a62ec4992be2964" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: Holiday entitlement rights", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights", "figure": "28 days", "value": 28, "unit": "day", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-12", "quote": "Most workers who work a 5-day week must receive at least 28 days’ paid annual leave a year.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "7a6d6d2959e4abcdc4f428f6d53bff5946154d9caf367a398a62ec4992be2964" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: Maximum weekly working hours", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours", "figure": "48 hours", "value": 48, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-16", "quote": "You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average - normally averaged over 17 weeks.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "69912d4e9a920c465101935d42a52616fa3340637df7158d221f8eed1e1f707a" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work", "figure": "11 hours", "value": 11, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "Workers have the right to 11 hours rest between working days.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "03db617857e5099427494382f734abe25a64d49d92236e94409c94aab00a3eae" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: calculating your working hours", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/calculating-your-working-hours", "figure": "17 weeks", "value": 17, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "Average working hours are calculated over a ‘reference’ period, normally 17 weeks.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "910721ad71b471f75e977306105044d868e12b5f33bb0a0009b7cdddf5bc3506" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: Night working hours", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours", "figure": "17 weeks", "value": 17, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "The average is usually calculated over 17 weeks, but it can be over a longer period of up to 52 weeks if the workers and the employer agree - for example, by collective agreement.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "86d6814b2582eaea426ea3c378a0f3eeccb444078980c25bb739bf88cb0b0ad2" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: weekly maximum working hours and opting out", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/weekly-maximum-working-hours-and-opting-out", "figure": "7 days", "value": 7, "unit": "day", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "You must give your employer at least 7 days’ notice.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "d3a48742e710536edf4901a10db80e815f15e1c1e8618424e25615e587fe4a6f" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: weekly maximum working hours and opting out", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/weekly-maximum-working-hours-and-opting-out", "figure": "3 months", "value": 3, "unit": "month", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "You may have to give your employer up to 3 months’ notice depending on what’s in your agreement.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "d3a48742e710536edf4901a10db80e815f15e1c1e8618424e25615e587fe4a6f" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 4 (maximum weekly working time)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/4", "figure": "48 hours", "value": 48, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "4.—(1) [F1Unless his employer has first obtained the worker’s agreement in writing to perform such work], a worker’s working time, including overtime, in any reference period which is applicable in his case shall not exceed an average of 48 hours for each seven days.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "d638927c3b11b4a54adb4e4c198e1805e41d8c72443ad263dc39a365257e45e3" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 4 (maximum weekly working time)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/4", "figure": "17 weeks", "value": 17, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "in any other case, any period of 17 weeks in the course of his employment.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "d638927c3b11b4a54adb4e4c198e1805e41d8c72443ad263dc39a365257e45e3" }, { "source": "Acas: working time rules", "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/working-time-rules", "figure": "11 hours", "value": 11, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "daily rest of 11 hours between working days weekly rest of 24 hours any 7-day period, or 48 hours in a 14-day period", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "4625529fe1de06d263f7a0dda7f54fb6270c2f6e2667e5b429e4dcef6da85924" }, { "source": "Acas: rest breaks", "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/rest-breaks", "figure": "24 hours", "value": 24, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "between working weeks – 24 hours every 7 working days or 48 hours every 14 working days", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "48eb8d12c5bb7d8a7b4d4a95363807c115e170a518645316a54817d62354b5f3" }, { "source": "Acas: rest breaks", "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/rest-breaks", "figure": "11 hours", "value": 11, "unit": "hour", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "Rest between working days Workers must get at least 11 hours' uninterrupted rest between finishing work and starting work the next day.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "48eb8d12c5bb7d8a7b4d4a95363807c115e170a518645316a54817d62354b5f3" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: night working hours and limits", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours/hours-and-limits", "figure": "17 weeks", "value": 17, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "The average is usually calculated over 17 weeks, but it can be over a longer period of up to 52 weeks if the workers and the employer agree - for example, by collective agreement.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "86d6814b2582eaea426ea3c378a0f3eeccb444078980c25bb739bf88cb0b0ad2" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 6 (length of night work)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/6", "figure": "17 weeks", "value": 17, "unit": "week", "vat": null, "axis": {}, "retrieved_at": "2026-10-17", "quote": "in any other case, any period of 17 weeks in the course of his employment.", "source_class": "primary-government", "text_sha256": "8e9195a35fcbde85a5302659878907d16fac96572c07310661c58e57b4b18353" } ], "not_published": [ { "source": "GOV.UK: child employment, minimum ages children can work", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/minimum-ages-children-can-work", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: zero hours contracts", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/contract-types-and-employer-responsibilities/zero-hour-contracts", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "GOV.UK: written statement of employment particulars", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 10 (daily rest)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/10", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 11 (weekly rest period)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/11", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 12 (rest breaks)", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/12", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-12", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "Acas: employment contracts", "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-contracts", "retrieved_at": "2026-09-19", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" }, { "source": "the authority per rule", "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/contents", "retrieved_at": "2026-10-02", "reason": "read in full and no accepted figure on the page" } ], "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours", "label": "GOV.UK: Maximum weekly working hours", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/calculating-your-working-hours", "label": "GOV.UK: calculating your working hours", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/weekly-maximum-working-hours-and-opting-out", "label": "GOV.UK: weekly maximum working hours and opting out", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work", "label": "GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours", "label": "GOV.UK: Night working hours", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours/hours-and-limits", "label": "GOV.UK: night working hours and limits", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights", "label": "GOV.UK: Holiday entitlement rights", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/minimum-ages-children-can-work", "label": "GOV.UK: child employment, minimum ages children can work", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/contract-types-and-employer-responsibilities/zero-hour-contracts", "label": "GOV.UK: zero hours contracts", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars", "label": "GOV.UK: written statement of employment particulars", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/4", "label": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 4 (maximum weekly working time)", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/6", "label": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 6 (length of night work)", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/10", "label": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 10 (daily rest)", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/11", "label": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 11 (weekly rest period)", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/regulation/12", "label": "Working Time Regulations 1998, regulation 12 (rest breaks)", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/working-time-rules", "label": "Acas: working time rules", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/rest-breaks", "label": "Acas: rest breaks", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-contracts", "label": "Acas: employment contracts", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" }, { "url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/1833/contents", "label": "the authority per rule", "license": "the publisher's own terms; quoted for reporting and comment" } ], "methodology": "Every row is a verbatim sentence read from the named source's own page through our fetch service on the date shown, hash-pinned to the stored read (the sha of the page's visible text; the raw page is mirrored to R2). 11 of the 19 named sources that could be read published a usable figure; 8 published none and are recorded as not published, never filled in; 0 could not be read (blocked, dead or unreachable) and count nowhere. The headline figures (median, minimum, maximum, quartiles) are over ONE figure per source in week (a source's median where its page yielded several accepted sentences), so N counts sources, never sentences; 26 candidate sentence(s) were refused by a reviewer with the reason recorded. The fuller derivation this dataset is chartered to grow into (not yet what the figures above are; they are each source's own published figure as read): one row per rule per worker class (adult, young worker, night worker, sector derogation): the limit, its averaging or reference period, whether it can be opted out of and how, and the regulation and guidance page it is quoted from with the date read; the rota checker's verdict is generated from this table, so a published rota is tested against the law rather than against an opinion; changed-since on every amendment", "embed": "

5.60 to 17 week

6 published figures, Working Time Rules, across 11 sources, read 17 October 2026

Source: Weekrota Working Time Rules
" }