Rest breaks at work
Young workers
Young workers (above school leaving age and under 18) are usually entitled to:
- a 30 minute rest break if they work more than 4.5 hours (if possible this should be one continuous break)
- daily rest of 12 hours
- weekly rest of 48 hours
Exceptions for young workers
Young workers sometimes aren’t entitled to daily rest or rest breaks at work if their work has to be done because of an exceptional event (eg an accident). This is only where:
- there isn’t a worker over 18 who can do the work
- the work is temporary and must be done immediately
Compensatory rest for young workers
Young workers have the right to compensatory rest if they’re not entitled to daily rest or rest breaks at work. This is the same amount of rest that they should have had. It can be taken just after any rest they’ve missed but it must be taken within the following 3 weeks.