Workingtime

Working time refers to the periods when an employee is performing tasks for an employer or is at the employer’s disposal and obliged to be ready to work. It typically includes time spent at the workplace, on business travel, or carrying out duties as required, and may also cover on-call time depending on national rules. Breaks and meals are often excluded from working time if unpaid, though some jurisdictions count certain breaks or paid rest as working time.

Measurement and scope of working time are usually expressed in hours per day or per week, with many systems using a standard full-time range of about 35 to 40 hours per week. Countries commonly regulate maximum working hours, minimum rest periods, and overtime, and specify what counts as working time in various circumstances such as travel, training, or on-call duties.

Legal frameworks vary by jurisdiction. In the European Union, the Working Time Directive sets, among other things, a 48-hour average weekly limit, a minimum of 11 hours of daily rest, and paid or unpaid rest breaks. It also addresses night work and on-call time. In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not cap working hours but requires overtime pay (typically 1.5 times) for non-exempt employees after 40 hours in a workweek. Other countries maintain their own combinations of limits and exemptions.

Work arrangements commonly used alongside standard hours include flextime, compressed workweeks, shift work, part-time schedules, and telework. The definition and application of working time influence compensation, leave entitlements, and health and safety considerations, and are subject to ongoing policy and enforcement debates.