THE WORKING DAY
Twenty minutes in one go
Work more than 6 hours a day and you have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute break, taken in the middle of the day and away from your workstation.
Check your shiftWHAT THE RULES SAY
Step away
from the desk.
A break is a right, not a favour.
20 MIN after 6 hours
11 hours Rest between working days, adults
- A break in the day
- Rest between days
- A day off each week
- Three kinds of rest
GOV.UK says most workers over 18 are entitled to three kinds of rest: a break during the working day, a rest between working days and a rest each week. Here is what each one means.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Twenty minutes,
away from your work.
The law sets a floor, not a ceiling.
Your contract may give you more.
SCREEN WORK
Little and often
HSE says breaks at a screen should be short and frequent: 5 to 10 minutes every hour is better than 20 minutes every 2 hours.
How to do it
DRIVING
Stop every two hours
The Highway Code recommends a break of at least 15 minutes after every two hours of driving, and not starting a journey if you are tired.
See the numbersGeneral information only, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to a qualified lawyer or a free advice service.
A QUICK SHIFT CHECK
What does your
working day look like?
Pick the situation closest to yours to see the break the guidance points to. The bar shows how much break time the rules call for.
Based on GOV.UK guidance on rest breaks at work, HSE guidance on display screen equipment and the Highway Code. General information, not legal advice; your contract may give you more.
FOUR HABITS TO TRY
A real break,
not a desk lunch.
The guidance is clear that a break means stepping away from the work itself. These habits follow what GOV.UK and HSE say.
Leave the workstation
A rest break should be taken away from your desk or workstation, and it does not count if you are told to go back early.
Take it mid-shift
The break should come in one go somewhere in the middle of the day, not tacked on at the start or end.
Break up screen time
Get up, move around, or at least stretch and change posture. Short breaks often beat one long one.
Protect the gap between shifts
Aim for the 11 hours between finishing one working day and starting the next, and a full day off each week.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
Rest is measured
in hours too.
One figure for rest between working days,
one for the limit on the working week.
11 hours
Rest between working days, adults
GOV.UK says workers have the right to 11 hours rest between working days: finish at 8pm and you should not start again until 7am. Young workers are usually entitled to 12 hours.
DAILY REST · GOV.UK
48 hours
Average weekly working limit
You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average, normally averaged over 17 weeks, unless you choose to opt out. Under-18s cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.
WORKING WEEK · GOV.UK
GOV.UK also says workers have the right to an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week, or 48 hours each fortnight. Some jobs, such as the armed forces, sea transport and mobile transport workers, have exceptions or special rules.
WHEN THE RULES DIFFER
Missed a break?
Rest can be owed back.
Some workers cannot take the usual breaks, for example shift workers changing shifts, people working on an oil rig, or in hospitals that need round-the-clock staffing. GOV.UK says they may be entitled to compensatory rest of the same length as the break they missed.
If you cannot take or are not allowed rest breaks, GOV.UK suggests speaking to your manager informally first. Workers can also get advice from the Acas helpline, and if a problem cannot be solved they may be able to make a claim to an employment tribunal.
Questions
Questions people ask
Do I get a break if I work 6 hours?
GOV.UK says the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break applies if you work more than 6 hours a day. Your contract may give you more.
Does my employer have to pay me for breaks?
Not by law. GOV.UK says the break does not have to be paid; it depends on your employment contract.
Can my employer decide when I take my break?
Yes, as long as it is taken in one go somewhere in the middle of the day and you can spend it away from your desk or workstation.
Am I entitled to smoking breaks?
No, unless your employment contract says so. GOV.UK says workers do not have a right to smoking breaks.
How often should I take a break from a screen?
There is no legal rule on length or frequency. HSE advises short breaks often, for example 5 to 10 minutes every hour rather than 20 minutes every 2 hours.
Where the facts come from
Updated
- GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work, overview
- GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work, full guide (taking breaks, young workers, exceptions, disputes)
- GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work, compensatory rest
- GOV.UK: Maximum weekly working hours
- HSE: Working safely with display screen equipment, work routine and breaks
- GOV.UK: The Highway Code, rules for drivers and motorcyclists (rule 91)