What hours should I work as a night worker?

Workers who normally work at night, (including regular rotating shifts, but excluding those who only occasionally work nights), are protected under the Working Time Regulations.

Night work is defined as at least 3 hours work taking place during the hours 11 pm to 6 am. Over a reference period of 17 weeks workers are not required to work more than an average of 8 hours on night work in every 24 hours.

As workers must take at least 2 days off in every fortnight, this means that the average weekly limit for nightwork is 48 hours per week (6 days times 8 hours). No opt-out from this limit is allowed.

An exception to the average is where night work involves special hazards, heavy physical or mental strain. In these cases there is an absolute daily limit - work cannot be continued beyond 8 hours in any 24 hours.

For some workers, (for example, security guards, caretakers, and those doing certain jobs which cannot be interrupted), the Regulations, restricting the length of night work to eight hours, do not apply.

As with day workers, night workers are entitled to at least 20 minutes rest during any period of work lasting 6 hours or more.

Note that there is no provision to 'opt-outs' from the limits on night work.

There are special rules for young workers aged 16 and 17. Young workers may not ordinarily work at night between 10pm and 6am, or between 11pm and 7am if the contract of employment provides for work after 10pm. However, exceptions apply in particular circumstances in the case of certain kinds of employment. See our young workers section for more information.