Should my contract of employment specify what hours I should 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, such as 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday excluding an hour for lunch. Sometimes the employer may wish to retain some flexibility and add something like, "or any other such hours as the company deems necessary". Also the overtime position should be specified.

The precise details of the hours of work are a matter for the parties, although the Working Time Regulations have an impact.

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.