Covering A Workmate Who's On Holiday ?

[Berniecuddles2]

Wasn't sure where to put this ... i have been asked to work as cover this weekend as overtime as my other workmate is on holiday at the weekend, this now means I have to work 12 straight days without a break is this legal?
Tia

[ummmm]

I think the restrictions are about the hours per day worked but you can sign a waiver.

[TWR]

Over time is Voluntary, I would think you do not have to work it? or have You?

[bednobs]

asked to work = can say no if you want

[bhg481]

It should be stated in your contract of employment. Think where the navy would be if all their sailors had to have a day off every so-often. A bit tricky on a nuclear sub, underwater for months.

[B00]

They'll still get time off bhg- granted might not be able to leave the premises but they won't be actually working 24/7!

[Gavmacp]

Nurses do it all the time.

[hc4361]

You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average, but you can opt out and work as many hours as you like.
This doesn't apply to many drivers who have to stick to strict rules about driving hours and other professions are exempt.

https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours/overview

[bhg481]

Not talking about working 24/7 Boo, just 12 straight days without a day off. Navy, army, RAF all fall into that category.

[Maydup]

It isn't legal to be made to work 12 straight days Bernie, but you can agree and opt out of the max working time directive.

So if you need a break have the weekend off as planned. The colleague will have booked the holiday some time ago I'm sure and a better solution should have been arranged before now. It Might be different if it were an emergency you might feel mor einclined to help.

[Buenchico]

As has (sort of) been indicated above, it's the average number of hours per week, over a 17 week period, that's limited by law (unless you agree to opt out from the regulations).

So it's perfectly legal to work 12 days in a row. Indeed, in the railway industry (where there are additional restrictions on working hours imposed by the Hidden Report), the rules actually specifically allow up to 12 days working in a row. At the station where I worked, each 7-week cycle always included a run of 12 days in a row. Nobody complained (least of all me - because I was the one who designed that shift pattern!).