workinghour

Working hours refer to the portion of the day or week during which an employee is expected to perform work for an employer. They establish when work begins and ends, and often influence compensation, scheduling, and labor relations. The term can apply to individuals, teams, or organizations and may vary by contract, industry, and jurisdiction.

Typical patterns include full-time hours, commonly around eight hours per day or about 40 hours per week, and part-time arrangements with fewer hours. Many jobs use shifts, such as day, evening, or night shifts. Flexible or staggered hours let employees choose start and end times within agreed limits, sometimes with core hours when everyone's available. Some organizations use a compressed workweek, such as four longer days instead of five shorter ones.

Regulation of working hours and related matters like rest breaks, overtime, and holidays varies by country. In many places, laws set maximum weekly hours and obligate overtime pay or compensatory time off. In the European Union, the Working Time Directive generally allows up to 48 hours per week on average, subject to exceptions. In the United States, federal law requires overtime pay after 40 hours for many employees; some jobs are exempt.

Working hours affect productivity, work-life balance, and health; scheduling tools and human resources policies aim to align hours with business needs while meeting legal requirements. Related topics include overtime, part-time work, shift work, and labor regulations.