Rest assured: 6-hour-day workers need 20 minute breaks

An uninterrupted 20 minute rest break is a must for workers who work more than 6 hours a day.

Whether it is a paid break or not will depend on the contract of employment but the Employment Appeal Tribunal held in Crawford v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd that a worker’s right to a 20 minute rest break must be for a continuous 20 minute period. A beneficial interpretation for the workers.

In contrast back in November of last year, we commented on the case of Maio Marques da Rosa v Varzim Sol where the effect of the European Court of Justice decision was such that employers can have employees working for 12 consecutive days and ‘book end’ their rest days. Not so beneficial for the worker.

Uber have recently announced their intention to introduce a 6 hour mandatory break to drivers who have been driving for 10 hours. Where will the rest break debate take us next?