The Working Time Regulations

No employee may be made to work more than 48 hours per week, averaged over a 17 week period. If an employee has no objection to being asked to work in excess of an average of 48 hours per week, he or she must be asked to sign a letter to the employer stating that he or she has no objection, and subsequently, if the employee changes his or her mind, three months' notice in writing must be given to the employer.

An Employee who does object to working in excess of 48 hours per week, and who will not sign a letter to the employer as detailed above, may not be discriminated against in any way, but may still be compelled to work in excess of 48 hours in any week or weeks, provided the average hours worked over a 17 week period do not exceed 48.

Under the same Regulations, every employee, full or part time, is entitled to a minimum of four weeks paid holiday per year. Note, however, that this minimum includes public holidays. Further detail can be obtained via the Federation Offices.

It is proposed to prohibit any working week from exceeding 48hours within the next few years.