Working Hours are capped at 48 hours per week maximum unless the individual has signed an ‘opt-out agreement’, which lets the individual work more than 48 hours, although under 18’s have a different right. Under 18’s are not allowed to work more than an 8-hour day or 40 hours per week, and have the right to at least two consecutive days off per week.

Rest Periods can differ depending on the age of the employee. Staff over the age of 18 are entitled to three types of breaks:
A rest break: 20-minute break if working 6 hours or more (depending on the employer this may not be paid), and under 18’s are required to have a 30-minute rest break if they have worked more than 4.5 hours.
Daily rest: 11 hours’ rest between working days (for example, if the individual finishes at 7pm you should not be expected to start work until 6am the next day). Under 18’s should have a daily rest of 12 hours.
Weekly rest: Uninterrupted 24 hours’ rest in a seven-day timeframe (under 18’s have the right to a weekly rest of 48 hours.

Working Time Regulation (1998) also covers the health and working hours of night workers. Night work is categorised between the hours of 11pm and 6am, unless stated otherwise in your contract.

2.2
Family/parent-related legal support, including maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave and dependant’s leave:

Every employee is eligible for family/parent – related statutory rights. The below is going to outline the statutory rights employees are entitled to, within each different category.

Paternity Leave:
Employees are eligible to paternity leave if they have worked continuous service for the company, for 26 weeks. The individual must be the biological father or the partner/husband of the mother, or holds the duty of the baby’s rearing.

Entitlement:
Individuals are entitled to up to 2 weeks’ statutory leave, which must be taken either from the date the baby is born or from any day of the week following the birth. Employees must inform the em