Arbejdstid

Arbejdstid, or arbejdstid (Danish for "working time"), is the period during which an employee is at the employer's disposal to perform work. It covers the time the worker is actually performing tasks as well as time the worker is required to be available for duty, including overtime and certain on-call periods. Breaks and meals are typically not counted as working time unless defined otherwise by law or collective agreement.

Measurement and scope: Working time is usually counted on a daily and weekly basis, and may include travel time to work sites if the travel is work-related. On-call time may be counted as working time when the employee must be available to work; otherwise it may be excluded. Overtime is hours worked beyond the standard contractual hours and is generally compensated at a higher rate as specified by law or agreement.

Legal framework: The concept is governed by national legislation and by the European Union's Working Time Directive, which sets rules on maximum average weekly hours and minimum rest periods. In Denmark, working hours and rest requirements are established by the national Act on Working Hours and related collective agreements; most regimes provide a cap on average weekly hours and mandatory daily or weekly rest, with exceptions under agreement.

Record-keeping and rights: Employers are typically required to keep records of worked hours. Employees have rights to rest periods and, where applicable, overtime compensation. Differences in sectors and agreements can affect counted hours, rest breaks, and overtime rates.