Maximum Hours You Can Work a Week: UK Law, Limits & Opt-Outs

Key Takeaways

1. The maximum hours you can work a week under UK law is usually limited to an average of 48 hours, calculated over a 17-week period.
2. Exceeding the legal maximum can lead to unlawful employment practices, disputes, and burnout.
3. Some roles and sectors, such as senior executives and emergency services, are exempt from the 48-hour cap. Always check your employment contract for sector-specific terms.
4. Employees can opt out of the 48-hour weekly limit by signing a voluntary opt-out agreement, but no one can ever be forced to do so.
5. Accurately calculating your average weekly hours is critical, especially for zero-hours contracts and multiple job holders.
6. Rest breaks and statutory time off are enshrined in UK law to safeguard workers’ health and wellbeing.
7. Failing to comply with working time rules or keeping poor records can result in financial penalties, contract disputes, or unenforceable agreements.
8. Go-Legal AI guides you through compliance, provides opt-out templates, and offers calculators tailored to the legal working hours in the UK.
9. Go-Legal AI is rated Excellent on Trustpilot with over 170 five-star user reviews.

What Are the Legal Limits for Maximum Working Hours Per Week in the UK?

Are you being asked to work long hours or feeling pressured to do excessive overtime? UK business owners, freelancers, and employees often feel confused by the maximum working hours rules, especially when managing several jobs or meeting strict deadlines. Not complying with legal limits on working hours can result in disputes, burnout, and significant legal risks, exposing your business or your wellbeing.

UK law typically sets the maximum hours you can work per week at an average of 48 hours, but there are crucial exceptions and legal ways to opt out if greater flexibility is needed. Understanding how the working week maximum applies, how to calculate your average, and how to enforce your rights is essential—especially when contracts or employers test the limits.

This clear guide explains the legal limits, key sector exemptions, and shows you step-by-step how to track your hours, complete a compliant opt-out, and avoid falling foul of the regulations. With Go-Legal AI’s ready-to-use templates and intuitive calculators, keeping your work hours legal is straightforward.

What Is the Maximum Number of Hours You Can Work a Week in the UK?

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 (implementing the EU Working Time Directive), most adults in England & Wales cannot be required to work more than an average of 48 hours a week, averaged over a rolling 17-week period. This rule is designed to protect your health, ensure work-life balance, and promote productivity.

There are different rules for certain groups:

• Under-18s: Legal maximum is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week, with no opt-out possible.
• Night workers: Restricted to an average of 8 hours per night, with additional safeguards.
• Exempt roles: Certain sectors, such as emergency services and the armed forces, have special exemptions.

How Does the 48 Hour Working Week Limit Apply to Most Workers?

The 48-hour limit is an average measured across a 17-week reference period, not a strict weekly maximum. Temporary spikes—such as a few intensive weeks—can occur, provided your overall average does not exceed 48 hours per week in the period.

Employers may offer an “opt-out” agreement if you want to work more. Signing this must always be voluntary and never a precondition for employment or promotion. If your hours routinely breach the 48-hour average without your consent, your employer may be breaking employment law.

It is common for employment contracts to mention the Working Time Regulations. If yours does not, explicit reference to “working time” or “overtime” in your contract is still relevant to your rights.

• Use our working hours calculator to instantly check if your current hours require an opt-out or adjustment.

Which Workers Are Exempt from the 48-Hour Maximum Working Week?

Not everyone in the UK workplace is covered by the 48-hour weekly limit. The law recognises that some roles are inherently different and provides sector-specific exceptions.

What Counts Toward Your Maximum Weekly Working Hours? (Including Travel, On-Call Time, and Breaks)

To accurately assess working hour compliance, you need to know what “counts” as work.

Included in the calculation:

• Hours spent at work performing duties.
• Travel that is part of your job (e.g., travelling between sites, not commuting).
• Time spent “on-call” if required to remain at or near the workplace.
• Working lunches (where you work while eating).

Excluded from the calculation:

• Ordinary commuting between home and your usual workplace.
• Unpaid breaks, where you are entirely free from duties.
• Daily/weekly statutory rest breaks.
• Paid or unpaid time off (annual leave, sick, maternity/paternity leave).

If you work for more than one employer, your total weekly hours across all jobs must be combined.

How to Calculate Your Average Weekly Working Hours (Step-by-Step Guide)

Calculating your average working hours is straightforward with these three steps:

1. Add up the total number of hours worked across 17 consecutive weeks. Do not include holidays or periods of sickness.
2. Divide by 17 to find your average hours per week.
3. Check if the average is 48 or less. If it is higher, you must either sign an opt-out agreement or reduce your hours.

Worked Example

Raj, a supermarket worker, covers long and irregular shifts, sometimes reaching 60 hours in a week. Over 17 weeks, his total comes to 820 hours:

• 820 hours ÷ 17 weeks = 48.24 hours per week, on average.
• Because this is over the limit, Raj should reduce his hours or sign a compliant opt-out.

• Use our calculator to double-check your hourly average and identify if an opt-out is needed for your schedule.

Can I Opt Out of the 48-Hour Weekly Limit? (Your Legal Rights and the Process)

Most adult workers can voluntarily agree to opt out of the 48-hour weekly limit, but only if it’s by written consent, never by pressure or as a job requirement.

To opt out compliantly:

1. Receive an opt-out request in writing from your employer.
2. Sign a lawyer-approved opt-out agreement—it must specify your right to withdraw at any time.
3. Keep a signed and dated copy for your records. Employers must do the same.

You always retain the right to withdraw your opt-out consent. Written notice is required (the statutory minimum is seven days, but your agreement may specify up to three months).

• Quickly create a compliant opt-out form using our expert-reviewed template builder.

What Are the Rules for Night Workers, Under-18s, and Multiple Job Holders?

Special legal protections apply to certain groups, each with tailored working hours limits.

Night Workers

Night workers may not work more than an average of 8 hours in any 24-hour period, usually calculated over 17 weeks. Employers are legally required to offer free health assessments before you start and at regular intervals.

Under-18s

If you are 16 or 17:

• Max 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week—no opt-outs permitted.
• Night work is typically prohibited, with rare exceptions for approved sectors.

Multiple Jobs

Working for multiple employers? UK law says your total hours must not exceed the legal maximum. Responsibility for compliance lies with each worker, even if your individual employers are unaware.

Essential Clauses and Legal Terms for Working Time Agreements

Understanding the language in working time opt-out and employment agreements is crucial. Here are the key terms and why they matter:

Common Mistakes When Managing Working Hours (And How to Avoid Them)

Mismanaging working hours leads to legal and operational problems for both businesses and individuals. These are some of the main pitfalls:

• Forgetting to add hours from all jobs: UK law combines all your working time, not just with each employer.
• Assuming opt-outs are permanent: You can withdraw at any time by giving notice.
• Not having a written opt-out: Only properly signed, written opt-outs are valid—verbal “agreements” don’t count.
• Failing to proactively record actual hours worked: Guesswork is risky. Always keep clear, detailed records.

What to Do If Asked to Work Unlawful Hours (Practical Templates and Next Steps)

If your employer requests you to work above the legal limits—without a written opt-out, or if you’re under 18—take these steps:

1. Double-check your hours and contract. Be clear on what you have agreed to.
2. Raise your concern informally. Discuss with your line manager or HR.
3. Put your concerns in writing if informally unresolved. Use our downloadable template letter to formally state your position and request changes.
4. If necessary, escalate. Seek guidance from ACAS or contact one of our on-demand legal experts for support.

How Go-Legal AI Makes Working Time Compliance Effortless

Our platform gives business owners, managers, and workers everything needed to ensure full compliance and peace of mind:

• Interactive hours calculator: Instantly check your average against the legal maximum and get alerts about problem weeks.
• Lawyer-approved opt-out templates: Create and store compliant agreements quickly.
• Ready-to-use letters for raising issues: Download templates to formally protect your position.
• AI-powered contract review: Instantly assess risks or missing clauses in your current agreements.
• Expert support at your fingertips: Get quick answers from a legal advisor whenever you have a working hours question.

With our tools, you can proactively monitor, adjust, and record your working hours and agreements—saving you time, cost, and stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my employer force me to work more than 48 hours a week?

No. Unless you have freely signed a written opt-out, employers cannot require you to work over the 48-hour average.

How do I cancel my 48-hour working week opt-out?

Submit written notice to your employer. The minimum notice is 7 days unless your opt-out agreement specifies up to 3 months.

What are my legal rest break entitlements?

Adults are entitled to at least a 20-minute break if working more than 6 hours, plus daily rest (11 consecutive hours in any 24-hour period) and weekly rest (24 hours, often taken as a full day off).

Does travel time count as working hours?

Travel required during your work (e.g. site-to-site) does count; general commuting from home usually does not.

Are zero-hours contracts covered by the 48-hour rule?

Yes. All workers, regardless of contract type—including zero-hours—are covered by working time limits.

What if I work overtime without a written opt-out?

Your employer may be breaching the regulations. You are legally protected from excessive hours unless you have opted out.

Are there extra rules for night or weekend working?

Night working averages must not exceed 8 hours in any 24-hour period. Weekend days count towards your weekly average, unless you are exempt.

How do I prove my employer is not following the law?

Keep your own record of hours and correspondence. Our compliance toolkit makes documenting breeches straightforward.

Does the 48-hour limit include all jobs?

Yes. Total hours for all your employers are combined for the purpose of calculating your legal maximum.

Where can I find free opt-out or record-keeping templates?

You can download lawyer-approved templates and checklists directly from our working time compliance toolkit.

Take Full Control of Your Working Week with Go-Legal AI

Understanding and managing the legal limits on maximum weekly working hours is vital to your wellbeing, business compliance, and peace of mind. Without the right legal documents and clear records, business owners and workers are exposed to penalties, stress, and easily avoidable disputes.

With Go-Legal AI, you can confidently calculate your hours, generate lawyer-approved opt-out agreements, and securely track every detail of your compliance—instantly and without hassle. Join today to access our working hours calculator, expert-reviewed templates, and on-demand support. Stay in control, protected, and fully compliant—no matter how busy your working week becomes.