working hours

[saintpeter48]

what is the law re hours worked per week. my wife works 48 hours a week, minimum wage, and has been told she cannot cut hours worked. she works 6 days a week starting at 5 in morning and only has sundays off and there is no overtime rate, she has been there for 8 months. i thought a few years ago a law came into being that the max anyone can work is 40 hours a week.any help on this pls. thanks

[dzug]

The maximum is 48 hours a week unless the employee volunteers to work more.
Averaged over 17 weeks if the days are of varying lengths.

[dinoboxer]

The UK follows the EU working time regulations which states that there is a limit of a 48hr working week, however, if you or your employer wish you to work more than 48hrs they must ask you to sign an opt out decleration which allows you to work more than 48hrs. BUT if at any time you wish to revert back to no more than working 48hrs you must inform your employers 'in writing' that you wish to do so. They cannot refuse this request. You also have certain rights which are:- A limit of an average of 8hrs work in 24hrs which night workers can be required to work. A free health check for night workers, A right to an 11hr break between shifts (if for emergency purposes this does not happen then your employer must give you back the rest hours that you lost), A right to a day off each week, A right to an in-work rest break if your working day is longer than 6hrs, A right to 4 weeks paid leave each year. Hope this is of some help

[saintpeter48]

thankyou, looks like she'll have to carry on working for this employer who seems to sail close to the wind re the employment law. ps. they have never given her a contract of work.

[lady_p_gold]

Well it sounds like the best thing would be to look for another job, surely even working in a store or something would be better than this ???