Should my contract of employment specify my total hours of work?

The written statement of particulars of employment, which should be given to employees within eight weeks of starting work, should include "details of terms and conditions of employment relating to hours of work and normal working hours".

In order to avoid confusion and misunderstanding normal hours should be specified, although the employer may wish to introduce some flexibility here. Also the overtime position should be specified.

Where the employee is subject to annualized hours a normal working week's hours should still be stated so that, for example, holiday pay can be correctly calculated.