Government mandated hours of work will vary according to your country of residence, and there are so many exceptions to the standard that cases need to be examined on an individual basis. For current, reliable information your best option is to search out a government site to research applicable law governing hours of work.
For example, The Federation of European Employers has published a table outlining legal maximum hours for work weeks in various countries, ranging from a high of 50 hours in Austria to 39.68 for France www.fedee.com/workinghours.shtml The information is interesting but the numbers appear to be approximations, as several variables are mentioned on the site that are not factored into their results.
If you look at U.K. General guidelines, they define a work week as 48 hours averaged out over 17 weeks. Possible exceptions would be the armed forces, emergency services, police, executives who set their own hours and private domestic servants, to name a few. The regulations governing hours of work for the group designated "young workers” differ again from those for the general population.
It is also possible to voluntarily "opt out” of the 48 hour limit if you are 18 or over and wish to work more. Specifics on this and other resources for further information are available at
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTim
In Canada, you would want to refer to Canadian Labour Code information at website www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/employment_standards/fls/resource Human Resources and Skills Development Canada quotes relevant sections of the code verifying that a 40 hour week is standard for most employees and that 48 hours is specified as a maximum.
Government directories are notoriously hard to navigate, but they are ultimately the only reliable source to steer you appropriately through relevant labour law and provide guidance to deal with unfair labour practices.
For example, The Federation of European Employers has published a table outlining legal maximum hours for work weeks in various countries, ranging from a high of 50 hours in Austria to 39.68 for France www.fedee.com/workinghours.shtml The information is interesting but the numbers appear to be approximations, as several variables are mentioned on the site that are not factored into their results.
If you look at U.K. General guidelines, they define a work week as 48 hours averaged out over 17 weeks. Possible exceptions would be the armed forces, emergency services, police, executives who set their own hours and private domestic servants, to name a few. The regulations governing hours of work for the group designated "young workers” differ again from those for the general population.
It is also possible to voluntarily "opt out” of the 48 hour limit if you are 18 or over and wish to work more. Specifics on this and other resources for further information are available at
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTim
In Canada, you would want to refer to Canadian Labour Code information at website www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/employment_standards/fls/resource Human Resources and Skills Development Canada quotes relevant sections of the code verifying that a 40 hour week is standard for most employees and that 48 hours is specified as a maximum.
Government directories are notoriously hard to navigate, but they are ultimately the only reliable source to steer you appropriately through relevant labour law and provide guidance to deal with unfair labour practices.
