Rest breaks at work: the UK rules

By the KiteClock team · Reviewed 24 October 2026 · How we write guides

Adults who work more than 6 hours a day are entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute break, 11 hours' rest between working days, and 24 hours off each week (or 48 hours each fortnight). Young workers under 18 get 30 minutes once they work more than 4.5 hours, 12 hours' daily rest and 48 hours a week.

During the working day

A worker aged 18 or over who works more than 6 hours a day is entitled to one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break. It can be a tea or lunch break. Whether it's paid depends on the employment contract; the law doesn't require it to be.

Between working days

Workers are entitled to 11 hours' rest between working days. GOV.UK's example: someone who finishes at 8pm shouldn't start work again until 7am the next day.

Each week

Workers are entitled to an uninterrupted 24 hours without work each week, or 48 hours each fortnight.

Young workers (over school leaving age and under 18)

A young worker's break should be one continuous break if possible. If an exceptional event means they miss a break or daily rest, they're entitled to compensatory rest within the following 3 weeks.

Exceptions

Some jobs have different rules, and some workers get compensatory rest instead of the usual breaks; GOV.UK lists these separately. Domestic workers in a private house aren't entitled to rest breaks for health and safety reasons. A contract can give more, or different, break rights.

How KiteClock helps

Break rules in KiteClock default to a 20-minute break per 6 hours, and missed, short or late breaks are flagged on timesheets. The rota warns about rest between shifts, weekly rest and young-worker limits as you plan.

Sources

• GOV.UK: Rest breaks at work
• GOV.UK: Rest breaks for young workers

This guide explains the rules; it isn't legal advice. For a decision about a particular person, check with Acas or a qualified adviser.