Rest break

A rest break is a period during a working shift when an employee is free from work duties. Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, workers in the UK aged 18 and over are entitled to an uninterrupted rest break of at least 20 minutes if their working day exceeds six hours.

Rest break requirements vary by industry and age:

• Adult workers (18+): 20-minute break for shifts over six hours
• Young workers (under 18): 30-minute break for shifts over 4.5 hours
• Workers are entitled to take the break away from their workstation
• Breaks cannot be rolled over or taken at the start or end of a shift

Failing to provide adequate rest breaks is a breach of employment law. It can also contribute to fatigue, reduced productivity, and increased accident risk. Rotas should clearly schedule break times and ensure adequate cover.

AceRota allows managers to schedule breaks within shifts and ensure rotas are compliant with Working Time Regulations.