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Overtime law - what is overtime, overtime pay, employee rights, part-time workers and time off in lieu

• Overview

  If you have normal working hours, overtime usually means any time you work…

• Compulsory overtime

  You only have to work overtime if your contract says so. Even if it does,…

• Part-time workers

  Usually, part-time workers must not be treated less favourably than…

• Time off and paid leave

  Time off in lieu (TOIL) Some employers give you time off instead of paying…

Working time directive and maximum weekly working hours including how to calculate your weekly working hours and working time limits if you're a young worker.

• Overview

  You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average - normally averaged…

• Calculating your working hours

  Average working hours are calculated over a ‘reference’ period, normally…

• Opting out of the 48 hour week

  You can choose to work more than 48 hours a week on average if you’re over…

• Updated: 29 March 2022

Part-time workers should not be treated less favourably than full-time workers; employers' responsibilities and what part-time workers can do if they're treated unfairly

• Updated: 29 November 2010

The rights of agricultural and farm workers - including pay rates, agricultural minimum wage, overtime, holiday leave, rest breaks, help and advice

The rules on working hours - hour and limits, rests, health assessments and terms and conditions

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa (formerly a Tier 2 General work visa) if you’ve been offered a skilled job with a UK employer - eligibility, fees, documents, extend, switch or update, bring your partner and children, taking on additional...

Check if your pay matches the National Minimum Wage, the National Living Wage or if your employer owes you payments from the previous year.

Includes types of worker, employee rights, overtime and changes to contracts

• Updated: 15 October 2025