The Working Time Directive

Hi Sheila
You are absolutely right in thinking that your hours may be in contravention of the Working Time Directive. If you have not contracted out of the Directive then the average maximum number of hours that you should be working in any one week is 48. The average is usually calculated over a period of 17 weeks. In addition you should have an uninterrupted rest period of 24 hours in each seven-day period.

There are also specific provisions that apply to night workers. The normal working hours of a night worker should not exceed eight hours in any 24-hour period. Provisions for daily or weekly rest periods can be excluded in the case of shift workers in order to facilitate the changing of shifts, but only on the understanding that compensatory rest must be provided.

You should definitely raise your concerns with your employer. If they are not helpful, then both the 48-hour week and the length of night work can be

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