Maximum working hours and breaks - Legal aid centre

Questioner

how many hours are you allowed to work I have to work 7 days in a row, 9 hours a day Can this ever happen?

Lawyer

Dear Madam/Sir, You may work a maximum of 12 hours per shift and a maximum of 60 hours per week. This is stated in the Working Hours Act. This act also states when you are entitled to a break or rest period. The rules apply to employees aged 18 and over. Different rules apply to young people under the age of 18. Maximum number of hours of working time You may not work the maximum number of hours every week. The following applies to your working hours over a longer period: Over a period of 4 weeks, you may work an average of 55 hours per week. In a collective arrangement (for example, a collective labor agreement), different agreements may be made about this, but you may never work more than 60 hours per week. Over a period of 16 weeks, you may work an average of 48 hours per week. You make agreements with your employer about how you will fill in your working hours per day and per week. Special rules for young people and pregnant women Separate rules apply to children under 16 and to young people aged 16 and 17. Special rules also apply to pregnant women or women who have recently given birth. Rest after work The following rules apply to the rest you have after work: After a working day, you may not work for 11 consecutive hours. However, this rest period may be shortened to 8 hours once every 7 days if the nature of the work or the company circumstances make this necessary. After a 5-day working week, you may not work for 36 consecutive hours. A longer working week is also possible, but only if you do not work for at least 72 consecutive hours in a period of 14 days. This rest period can be divided into uninterrupted rest periods of at least 32 hours each (for example 32 plus 40 hours). Duration of breaks and number of breaks The following applies to the number of breaks you have and their duration: If you work longer than 5.5 hours, you are entitled to a minimum break of 30 minutes. The break may be split into 2 x 15 minutes. If you work longer than 10 hours, you are entitled to a 45-minute break. The break may be split into more breaks of at least 15 minutes. Collective agreements (for example in your collective labour agreement or between your employer and the works council) may contain provisions for fewer or shorter breaks than those mentioned above. In any case, you have a minimum break of 15 minutes if you work longer than 5.5 hours. Application of the Working Hours Act The Working Hours Act applies to everyone who works for an employer, so to all employees, including interns, temporary workers and seconded workers. The Working Hours Act applies to all work that you perform as an employee. If you have multiple jobs, their working hours are added together. kind regards,