Can I work 70 hours a week in the UK?

Yes, you can legally work 70 hours a week in the UK, but only if you voluntarily "opt out" of the 48-hour average workweek rule and sign an agreement, as employers cannot force you to do so; this opt-out must be your free choice, and you can cancel it anytime, though certain sectors like healthcare have specific rules.

Is it legal to work 70 hours a week in the UK?

Working 70 hours a week is legal in the UK, but employers cannot require employees to work this much. If employees wish to do so, they must voluntarily opt out of the 48-hour workweek limit and they can revoke this decision any time.

Is it illegal to work 60 hours a week in the UK?

You cannot work more than 48 hours a week on average - normally averaged over 17 weeks. This law is sometimes called the 'working time directive' or 'working time regulations'. You can choose to work more by opting out of the 48-hour week. If you're under 18, you cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.

How many hours are allowed to work in the UK per week?

By law (The Working Time Regulations 1998), workers must not work more than 48 hours a week on average. This is usually averaged over 17 weeks. Limiting the hours people work is important for everyone's health, safety and wellbeing.

Is it possible to work 70 hours in a week?

Yes, many people work 70+ hour weeks, especially in high-demand fields, but it's physically and mentally taxing, leading to burnout, health issues, and decreased productivity if not managed with extreme discipline through strategies like strict scheduling, self-care (sleep, diet, exercise), clear goals, and strong support systems, though legal protections for overtime and mandatory breaks vary by location. 

How I'm Able to Work 80 Hours a Week & Not Burn Out

Can I work 80 hours a week in the UK?

In the UK, employees and workers must not work more than 48 hours a week on average. (Total hours are calculated based on a 17-week reference period). The 48-hour limit is in place to protect their health, safety, and welfare. For example, getting stressed or exhausted from overworking.

Is a 70 hour work week legal?

Yes, many people work 70+ hour weeks, especially in high-demand fields, but it's physically and mentally taxing, leading to burnout, health issues, and decreased productivity if not managed with extreme discipline through strategies like strict scheduling, self-care (sleep, diet, exercise), clear goals, and strong support systems, though legal protections for overtime and mandatory breaks vary by location. 

Can I work 80 hours a week?

It might not be the healthiest long-term solution to work 80 hours a week. However, it can sometimes be unavoidable. If you are working an 80 hour week, try to do it intermittently or for short periods. The most important thing you need to consider to avoid burnout is to keep a healthy sleep schedule.

What is considered overtime in the UK?

Overtime generally means any work over the basic working hours included in your contract. Regulations say that most workers can't be made to work more than an average of 48 hours a week, but they can agree to work longer. This agreement must be in writing and signed by you.

Is lunch included in working hours in the UK?

A working week does not include: time you spend on call away from the workplace. breaks when no work is done, for example lunch breaks.

What is the longest legal working hours in the UK?

Your employer can't make you work more than 48 hours a week on average. It doesn't matter what your contract says or if you don't have a written contract. If you want to work more than 48 hours a week, you can sign an agreement to opt out of the maximum weekly working time limit.

Can I work 75 hours a week?

Your employer cannot make you work longer than an average of 48 hours a week. If you do work longer, you should discuss reducing your hours with your manager or signing an opt-out agreement.

What is the 72 hour work week?

Now the vibe has shifted, particularly in Silicon Valley and double-particularly in AI. The new trend? The 72-hour work week, better known as 996, for the idea of working 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week.

Can I work 60 hours a week in the UK?

The UK Working Time Regulations allow the legal maximum working hours limit of 48 hours per week to be exceeded in any one week as long as the average number of hours over 17 weeks (the reference period) does not exceed 48 hours per week.

How many hours can you legally work in the UK without a break?

Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break. The break does not have to be paid - it depends on their employment contract.

Is 37.5 hours a week full-time in the UK?

What does full-time mean in the UK? There is no fixed legal number of hours that counts as full-time. However, most employers define full-time work as between 35 and 37.5 hours per week. Some contracts use 40 hours as a benchmark, but the most common range is 35–37.5.

Can you work 70 hours a week in the UK?

Working 70 hours a week in the UK isn't automatically unlawful, but you must respect the 48-hour average weekly limit unless a worker voluntarily opts out, and you must still meet all rest, break and night work rules.

What jobs are exempt from overtime?

Executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees: (as defined in Department of Labor regulations) and who are paid on a salary basis are exempt from both the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the FLSA.

Is overtime tax free in the UK?

Overtime is not taxed at a separate or higher rate. It is simply added to an employee's gross earnings for the pay period and taxed at the appropriate income tax rate based on total taxable income. Higher deductions may appear if overtime pushes earnings into a higher tax band, but the rate itself remains unchanged.

Can you work 70 hours in a week?

Yes, many people work 70+ hour weeks, especially in high-demand fields, but it's physically and mentally taxing, leading to burnout, health issues, and decreased productivity if not managed with extreme discipline through strategies like strict scheduling, self-care (sleep, diet, exercise), clear goals, and strong support systems, though legal protections for overtime and mandatory breaks vary by location. 

Is 80 hours a week illegal?

Working 80 hours a week isn't federally illegal in the U.S. for most adults, but it triggers mandatory overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for hours over 40, and some states or specific professions (like pilots, truckers) have stricter rules or rest period requirements, while salaried exempt employees can be required to work these hours without extra pay if they meet criteria, though some states like California have meal/rest break rules for long days. 

Is residency really 80 hours a week?

Yes, US medical residents are limited to an average of 80 hours per week, mandated by the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education), but this is an average over four weeks, meaning long weeks (even over 100 hours in intense rotations like surgery) are possible if balanced by lighter weeks, with rules also capping consecutive duty at 24 hours (plus up to six for continuity) and ensuring rest, though compliance and effectiveness remain debated. 

What is the 70 hour 8 day rule?

The DOT 70-hour 8-day rule prohibits commercial drivers from being on the road for more than 70 hours over 8 consecutive days. Fleet managers with drivers that do not operate every day of the week will not need to consider the 70-hour 8-day rule, as a separate 60-hour 7-day rule is in place for those drivers.

Has no tax on overtime passed?

No Tax on Overtime is a provision that was included in a larger tax reform bill that passed in July 2025. It allows certain workers to deduct up to $12,500 in qualified overtime compensation from their taxable income on their federal income tax return. Joint filers can deduct up to $25,000.

What percentage of people work 70 hours a week?

Answer and Explanation: *On Average, 25% of Americans work more than 70 hours a week. Around 25% of Americans work physical jobs for their livings.