A LAWYER has revealed what an employee’s rights are if an employer tries to force them to undertake overtime.
Under the Working Time Regulations, an employee cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week.
The regulations cover all part-time and full-time workers, including most agency workers and freelancers, although there are some exceptions, such as members of the police and armed forces.
Jo Mackie, head of employment at legal firm Slater & Gordon told The Sun Online: “Employees only have to work 'overtime' if their contract stipulates that, and even if the contract does say so an employee cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week under the Working Time Regulations.”
She added: “An employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment by law, and that includes making sure an employee is not working too many hours.”
However, workers are urged to check their contracts as there could be a clause about having to work overtime.
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Ms Mackie, who has 20 years of experience practising employment law, said: “If you've not expressly asked to opt out of the 48-hour working week your employer cannot make you work longer than that unless your contracts stipulates that you are contracted to work more hours.”
Workers can though opt out of the regulations set out...
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