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What breaks and holidays am I allowed?

You have the right to a rest break of 20 minutes where your working day is longer than 6 hours. If you are under 18, however, you are entitled to a 30-minute break after working 4 and a half hours.

You should receive 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday every year. In the past, some employment agencies have tried getting round this by saying that your hourly pay rate includes holiday pay and that they therefore do not have to give extra pay if you take a break. However, thanks to a decision by the European Court of Justice, this practice is unlawful, and your employer has to pay you on days which you take as holiday.

Note that practices which you may be used to, such as 13th (or 14th) month payments, and holiday subsidy, are not normal in Britain.