{"id":15601,"date":"2026-03-03T11:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/?post_type=resources&#038;p=15601"},"modified":"2026-07-27T13:37:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T13:37:02","slug":"rest-breaks-and-rest-periods","status":"publish","type":"resources","link":"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/rest-breaks-and-rest-periods\/","title":{"rendered":"Rest breaks and rest periods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f85887e8 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-929090b5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By <strong><strong>Nicky Stibbs<\/strong><\/strong> | Brightmine editor: <strong>Lilia Dangi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide summarises workers&#8217; rights to rest breaks and rest periods under the Working Time Regulations 1998. The guide covers daily and weekly rest entitlements, special rules and exceptions, and what workers can do if denied their statutory rights to rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sign-up-today-to-get\">Sign up today to get:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Who is covered?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Entitlement to rest breaks and rest periods\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Adult workers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Young workers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Employer&#8217;s obligation to enable rest breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">On-call and working time\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">On-call and working time: examples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Collective and workforce agreements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Rest breaks for risky work patterns<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Payment for rest breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Record-keeping<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Exclusions and special cases\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Excluded sectors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Exceptions for mobile workers in road transport sector<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Exceptions for shift workers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Unmeasured working time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Other special cases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Remedies and penalties\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Protection against detriment and unfair dismissal<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Penalties in road transport sector<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Future developments\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Seafarers&#8217; rest breaks and rest periods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-want-to-see-more\">Want to see more?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For full access to Rest breaks and rest periods, sign up to a HR and Compliance Centre subscription today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/quote\/?intcmp=hrcc-migrated-resource|quote|request-a-quote\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Request a quote<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-left-color:var(--wp--preset--color--secondary-gray);border-left-width:2px;padding-left:10px;flex-basis:30%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained wp-container-2 is-position-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1b31d3a2 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:1rem;padding-top:15px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-latest-updates\">Latest updates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Updated to reflect that the Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-bleach-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-22a7c014 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:14px;padding-top:10px;padding-right:15px;padding-bottom:15px;padding-left:15px\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Navigate HR complexity with confidence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Brightmine, you can build powerful people strategies, implement best practices and set your organisation up for a brighter future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn how our tools, resources and automation can empower you and your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"\/uk\/solutions\/?intcmp=cta|blog|solutions|learn-more\" style=\"border-radius:25px\">Learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group lnrs-hide-block-on-mobile has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-64c039dc wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-secondary-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-secondary-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more articles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-query is-layout-flow wp-block-query-is-layout-flow\"><ul class=\"wp-block-post-template is-layout-flow wp-container-core-post-template-is-layout-a7dce961 wp-block-post-template-is-layout-flow\"><li class=\"wp-block-post post-22163 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-webinars tag-employment-rights-act topic-employee-safety topic-employment-law-updates topic-flexible-working\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-strategy\/flexible-working\/the-future-of-flexible-working\/\" target=\"_self\" >The future of flexible working<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-22021 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-press-releases topic-pay-equity topic-total-rewards\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/pay-equity\/women-still-short-changed-in-bonus-pay\/\" target=\"_self\" >Women still short-changed by \u00a32,380 a year in bonus pay<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/li><li class=\"wp-block-post post-21983 resources type-resources status-publish has-post-thumbnail hentry category-blogs topic-hr-strategy\">\n<h2 style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.274), 16px);line-height:1.3;text-decoration:underline;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0\" class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-0b1b36f3c2dfa7682bfd13b67e3228a9 wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-primary-black-color\"><a 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&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource\" style=\"background-color: #f3f2f0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-wellbeing\/supporting-staff-experiencing-domestic-abuse-policy\/\"><div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__resource_image\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/12130710\/person-sitting-at-desk-with-laptop-and-covering-face.webp);\"><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__inner_content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content-top\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"sync\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/lnrs-resources-filter\/assets\/images\/category-flag.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category_icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"lnrs-resource-hub-widget__category\">Tools &amp; templates<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"title\" style=\"color: #00728B\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/total-rewards\/employee-wellbeing\/supporting-staff-experiencing-domestic-abuse-policy\/\">Supporting staff experiencing domestic abuse policy<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color: #000000\">This model policy sets out an organisation\u2019s approach to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse, including the support available &#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-bb56f56d wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-primary-white-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-79174043 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:25px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-topics-on-this-page\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">Topics on this page<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-topic has-link-color wp-elements-5ec59eb01c09ec2f1d84a6b36973ff83 wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brightmine.com\/uk\/resources\/hr-compliance\/absence-management\/\" rel=\"tag\">Absence management<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-about-the-authors\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">About the authors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-a903a136 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/01\/13144636\/speaker-avatar.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14506\" style=\"border-radius:25px;object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nicky Stibbs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicky Stibbs&nbsp;has many years&#8217; experience in employment law having worked in the field since 2002. Her experience includes eight years as an associate at Bevan Brittan LLP. She also worked for several years as a senior employment lawyer at a unitary local authority. She has a broad range of experience in defending employers in the employment tribunal, advising employer appeal panels and on day-to-day employee relations, as well as TUPE and organisational change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nicky is a freelance writer of employment law articles for law firms. She works for Bevan Brittan LLP as a consultant solicitor and is an associate at Collingridge Employment Law, where she advises SMEs and individuals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cararra-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cararra-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100px\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized is-style-rounded\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17647\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:100px;height:100px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot.jpg 800w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.brightmine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/05\/22152956\/Lilia-Headshot-450x450.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lilia Dangi<\/strong><br>Legal Editor, Brightmine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lilia joined the Employment Law and Compliance team as a Legal Editor in March 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lilia has over 10 years&#8217; experience in HR, with a strong background in employment law, compliance, and governance. She has worked across major organisations including Deloitte, Santander, and Unilever, advising on complex employee relations matters, immigration and change management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lilia also brings experience as a CIPD tutor, delivering modules on employment law and workforce planning. She holds a Law degree, a Law Masters in Corporate Governance, and is a certified Company Secretary and CIPD Associate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Connect with Lilia on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/liliadangi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A guide to workers\u2019 statutory rights to rest breaks and rest periods under the Working Time Regulations 1998, including entitlements, exceptions and remedies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":15613,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"wp-custom-template-new-resources","categories":[101],"tags":[],"topic":[30],"class_list":["post-15601","resources","type-resources","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-employment-law-guide","topic-absence-management"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 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