Workers over 18 are usually entitled to 3 types of break - rest breaks at work, daily rest and weekly rest.
Rest breaks at work
Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break.
The break doesn’t have to be paid - it depends on their employment contract.
Daily rest
Workers have the right to 11 hours rest between working days, eg if they finish work at 8pm, they shouldn’t start work again until 7am the next day.
Weekly rest
Workers have the right to either:
- an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week
- an uninterrupted 48 hours without any work each fortnight
A worker’s employment contract may say they’re entitled to more or different rights to breaks from work.
Work that puts health and safety at risk
An employer should give an employee enough breaks to make sure their health and safety isn’t at risk if that work is ‘monotonous’ (eg work on a production line).
Domestic workers in a private house (eg a cleaner or au pair) aren’t entitled to rest breaks for health and safety reasons.
