Standard Working Hours

Standard Working Hours

The standard working week shall be 37.5 hours worked on 5 days, Monday to Friday inclusive.  The normal working day shall not be more than eight hours worked in any consecutive twelve hours between 7.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m.

Permission for absence or lateness should be sought in advance from the employer if an individual has domestic, personal or other reasons.  If this is not possible he should phone his employer informing him of the absence before 12 noon, or Mid- Shift for Shift Workers, or send a written message to be delivered by the same time.  Verbal messages delivered by workmates or relatives or other persons may be accepted by employers at their discretion.

In order to comply with Industry derogation under the Working Time Regulations, employees are only permitted to work a maximum of 48 hours per week averaged over a 52 week period.  However, employees who wish to opt out of this regulation may do so by signing an opt-out agreement.  A sample opt-out agreement is shown in Appendix 2.

The employer shall declare the working days and hours (including breaks) on each job.

Where shifts are required which fall outside these limits, payment and conditions of work shall be approved by the Scottish Joint Industry Board.