Night Workers
Night workers are those who work for at least three hours during the night on regular days, most working days or an proportion of days agreed with their employer and trade union. Within employment law, night must be at least seven hours long, including the period between 00:00 and 05:00. Normally this is defined as the period between 23:00 and 06:00, though employees and employers can agree to change this period.
To protect night workers, an average night working limit is in place, dictating that night workers shouldn’t work more than an average of eight hours in twenty-four hour periods. Should the type of work involve significant amounts of mental or physical strain, an absolute limit of eight hours in any twenty-four hour period applies, including overtime in both the night and day.
Surveillance and security workers, workers who travel longer distances to work and those who work in many different places are all exempt from night working limits, as are various employees in the rail industry and those who work in environments that require constant staffing. Other workers excluded from night working limits include the emergency services, armed forces, domestic servants and workers who freely choose their own working hours.
