Shift work for retail workers
Retail rotas change week to week, with early-morning delivery shifts, late closing and longer hours at peak times. Many retail workers hold a contract for a set number of hours and pick up overtime, or work at two stores.
How your pay works
- Overtime and Sunday premiums depend on your contract. There's no legal right to a higher rate, so check what yours says.
- Sunday working: in England and Wales, most shop workers can opt out of working Sundays by giving written notice, usually three months. Workers employed only to work on Sundays can't.
- Breaks: you're entitled to at least 20 minutes if you work more than 6 hours, but it doesn't have to be paid.
- Time spent on required tasks before or after your shift, such as cashing up or a security search, counts as working time.
- If you're on irregular hours, your holiday builds up at 12.07% of the hours you work.
What to keep a record of
- Contracted hours versus extra hours each week
- Each shift's real start and finish
- Premium hours (Sundays, nights, bank holidays)
- Which store, if you work across more than one
- What's been paid
Get started
Not sure what the legal minimum is for your age? See the current minimum wage rates. Shiftaan works out your hours and expected pay for every shift, even ones that cross midnight. Open the app.
Common questions
Do I get paid more for working on a Sunday?
Only if your contract says so. Many retailers pay a Sunday or overtime premium, but it isn't a legal requirement.
Can I refuse to work Sundays?
In England and Wales, most shop workers can opt out of Sunday working by giving their employer written notice, usually three months. It doesn't apply if you were hired only to work Sundays.
Is my overtime paid at a higher rate?
There's no legal right to a higher overtime rate. Your contract decides, but your average pay must still be at least the minimum wage.