Technology and Software

Compliance with the EU working time directive: What you need to know

About the directive

The EU Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC) is a set of regulations that aim to protect workers’ health and safety by setting minimum standards for working hours, rest periods, and annual leave.

Some of the key points of the directive include:

A limit to weekly working hours: the average working time for each seven-day period must not exceed 48 hours, including overtime. Depending on national legislation and/or collective agreements, the 48-hour average is calculated over a reference period of up to 4, 6, or 12 months.
A rest break during working hours if the worker is on duty for longer than 6 hours.
A minimum daily rest period: in every 24 hours, a worker is entitled to a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest.
A minimum weekly rest period: for each 7-day period, a worker is entitled to a minimum of 24 uninterrupted hours in addition to the 11 hours’ daily rest.

Stay updated on the directive

Companies must comply

The actions that are needed to be taken to comply with these regulations is to implement systems to accurately track employee time and maintain records. This can be done through the use of time tracking software, which can help companies ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the directive and protecting the health and safety of their workers.

What is the EU working time directive?

The working time directive in the EU refers to a ruling by the European Court of Justice that requires companies to set up an objective, reliable, and accessible system to measure the daily working hours of each employee.

This ruling was made to ensure that workers' rights are protected and that they are fairly compensated for their time. The law aims to promote work-life balance and prevent burnout by ensuring that employees are not working excessive hours.
Who does the EU working time directive apply to?

The working time directive applies to all companies operating within the EU, with the exception of hospitals, fire & civil protection services, industries with uninterupted work and agriculture. This means that any company with employees working in the EU must comply with the directive and set up a system to accurately track the daily working hours of their employees.

The design of this system is largely in their own hands, as long as the time recording is correct and tamper-proof.

Important: The mere introduction of time recording is not enough. Employers must ensure that it is also used.
Why is the EU working time directive important?

The working time directive is important because it helps to protect the rights of workers and ensure that they are fairly compensated for their time.

By accurately tracking the daily working hours of employees, companies can ensure that they are complying with labor laws and regulations and that their employees are not working excessive hours. This can help to promote work-life balance and prevent burnout, leading to a happier and more productive workforce.
What are the consequences of not complying with the working time directive?
What should companies do to prepare for the implementation of the working time directive?

To prepare for the implementation of the working time directive, companies should review their current time tracking practices and assess whether they meet the requirements of the directive.

This may involve implementing new systems or processes to accurately track the daily working hours of employees. Companies should also consider implementing a time tracking software to help them comply with the directive and streamline the process of time tracking.