Work Break

All workers are entitled to a work break during the working day. A worker aged 18 or over is entitled to a minimum 20 minutes rest break when working a six hour shift. Your employer can specify when you take your break, although your employer can not force you to take the rest break at the beginning or end of the shift. Most employers also offer a lunch or meal break, the employer does not have to pay you during this break, although some do, you need to read your employment contact or written statement to find out if you will be paid or not during this work break.

Some employers do pay their employees on a 20 minute work break, you will need to check your employment contract to see if your are entitled to be paid during this work break.

If you are a young worker between the ages of 16 and 17, you are entitled to a 30 minute break when working a shift of more than four and a half hours.

Most workers are entitled to an 11 hour break between each working day and 1 day off in every 7 days or 2 days work break when working 14 days. The working week starts from midnight on Sunday to the following Sunday. You do not have to work more than 48 hours a week unless you agree to work more hours. Work breaks are governed by Working Time Directive.

Some jobs might require a longer work break due to health and safety regulations. For example, a HGV lorry driver will need to take a 45 minute work break after driving for four and a half hours. Also disabled workers might need to take a longer break due to their disability.

Most works have a statutory right to take a holiday work break. For more information visit Holiday Entitlement.