The Working Time Regulations 1998

The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) set out rules limiting working hours and provide for rest breaks and paid holidays.

This Inbrief looks at an employer’s main obligations under the WTR. For more detailed information on holiday, see our Inbrief on holiday entitlement and pay.

This content includes:

• Who is covered?
• Overview of working time rules
• Holiday pay
• Other tricky holiday issues
• Sanctions for non-compliance

Who is covered?

Employees and workers

The WTR cover both employees and “workers”. Workers are individuals who work under a contract to perform personally work or services for another party who is not a client or customer.

This means temporary workers, agency workers and freelancers are covered. Self-employed workers who are genuinely in business on their own account are not covered by the WTR. See our Inbrief on Employment Status for more information.