Employers are required to comply with legal regulations governing working hours and rest periods. The law imposes minimum requirements on employers entitling employees to time off during:

•    Working hours

•    Annual leave 

•    Family-friendly leave such as maternity, paternity, adoption, and parental.

For workers aged 18 and older, there are typically three types of rest periods during working hours: rest breaks, daily rest, and weekly rest.

Rest breaks at work

Workers are entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break during their working day, provided they work more than six hours a day. This break may serve as a tea or lunch break. 

Whether it is paid depends on the terms of their employment contract.

Daily rest

Workers are entitled to a rest period of 11 consecutive hours between working days. For instance, if an employee finishes work at 8 p.m., they should not start work again until at least 7 a.m. the next day.

Weekly rest

Workers have the right to either:

•    an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week

•    an uninterrupted 48 hours without any work each fortnight

Employment contracts may specify additional or alternative rights to rest breaks beyond these legal requirements.