Free tool

Break and rest calculator

Check one shift's break, the rest between two shifts, and your average weekly hours against UK working time rules.

The rules

  • Break: at least 20 minutes, uninterrupted, if you work more than 6 hours (30 minutes after 4.5 hours if you're under 18).
  • Daily rest: at least 11 hours in a row between working days.
  • Weekly rest: 24 hours without work each week, or 48 hours each fortnight.
  • Working week: no more than 48 hours on average, usually over 17 weeks, unless you've opted out in writing. All your jobs count together.

Exceptions

Security and surveillance work is one of the areas where the break and rest rules can be varied, as long as you get equivalent compensatory rest. Your contract should explain how this works.