Labour Research September 2002

Law Queries

Law Queries

Is there any legal definition of "night work"?

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 "night time" is a period of no less than seven hours which, by agreement, includes the period between midnight and 5am. Where there is no agreement the definition of "night time" is extended to cover all time between 11pm and 6am. The regulations say that night work should not exceed eight hours a night averaged over a 17-week period. If there are special hazards the eight hours should not be exceeded in any one night.

More information: LRD booklet, The working time regulations - a practical guide