The EU Working Time Directive.

“Protect each individual”

For all individuals working in the EU, the Working Time Directive set’s out the maximum allowable working time and minimum rest periods. The EU Working Time Directive’s main goal is to protect each individual from being overworked, exploited and to ensure they receive reasonable rest time between working shifts and weeks.

“Relevant in every EU country“

Each EU member state is required to adopt the EU working time directive. However, they can also implement more protective measures for their workers and a good example of this is in Denmark. In addition, there are certain and rare deviations from this within locally agreed Collective Bargaining Agreements (see our previous blog here to find out more about Collective Agreements).

“What to consider?”

Below outlines the requirements of the EU Working Time Directive:

• Maximum working time of 48 hours per week on average (including any overtime) over any 4-month reference period and in Denmark, 37 hours over a 12-month reference period.
• 11 consecutive hours in every 24-hour period of rest.
• One day off per week, which may be averaged over a two-week period.
• At least four weeks of paid annual leave.