Considerations with a working hours policy template

There are several elements that should be taken into consideration when outlining how many hours an employee works per week. Some key terms you should be aware of include:

Maximum weekly hours

There are legal requirements in regards to how much people are allowed to work. In the UK, maximum weekly hours refers to the legal limit of 48 hours per week on average. However, it’s important to note that employees can choose to “opt” out of this in certain circumstances.

Calculating averages

Working hours are generally calculated over a set period of time (which is usually 17 weeks). This is known as calculating averages, and it allows for fluctuations in workload.

Rest breaks

Rest breaks should also be outlined in a working hours policy template. It should make clear the length and frequency of required breaks throughout the day.

Overtime rules 

The policy should outline when overtime is permitted, how it is calculated and if there are any additional compensation rules for exceeding standard hours.

Flexible working arrangements

Flexible working is not an option in all organisations, however, policies should give details on any flexible working options. This may include compressed workweeks or staggered start times.

Why is a working hours policy template important?

Having guidelines is important as it provides staff clarity around schedules and expectations. There are several benefits to this, including:

Employee wellbeing

Clear guidelines on working hours help to prevent burnout in staff members. This is because limits are set around working times and ensuring staff take regular breaks. The goal is to promote better mental and physical health amongst team members and improve employee wellbeing.

Legal compliance

Staying compliant is essential for businesses and companies must adhere to labor laws. Having a document that clearly states company guidelines not only helps staff to understand their obligations, but also protects businesses.

Transparency and fairness

Guidelines ensure that all team members are treated equally at work, which prevents favoritism and conflicts. Allowing everyone to have access to the working hours policy template promotes transparency and ensures that everyone understands their obligations.

Productivity improvement By defining clear expectations, team members can feel empowered to focus on their tasks during designated work times. This is likely to lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency.

Effective scheduling: Having guidelines in place allows employers to plan and schedule more accurately, ensuring adequate staffing during peak periods.

Streamline your processes with Employment Hero

Finding time to get through everything on your to-do list is easier said than done, especially as a busy HR professional or business owner. This is why having guidelines already in place, such as the working hours policy template can come in handy!

Employment Hero offers a variety of helpful templates and policies that you can download to adapt for your business. As the world’s first Employment OS (operating system), Employment Hero offers support to help you streamline processes and save time. This includes everything from finding and hiring top talent using SmartMatch to seamlessly onboarding new hires, automating complex payroll, and driving employee engagement and morale, all backed by UK-based expert support.

We empower over 300k businesses worldwide to spend less time on admin, so they can focus on what matters most – their people.

Download the template now.