Working Hours, Rest Days and Overtime: Questions to Ask

Hours and rest are among the first things that change after a worker arrives, because the offer often says little about them. Rules differ between countries and can change. So instead of memorising numbers, ask the right questions and get the answers in writing before you sign.

Hours

• How many hours is a normal working day?
• How many days a week do you work?
• Does the time you spend travelling to a site, waiting for transport or preparing for work count as working time?
• Is there a break each day, and is it paid?

Rest days and leave

• Which days are rest days, and are they paid?
• Do you receive paid leave, and how much builds up over time?
• How are public holidays treated?
• Can you leave the country for your own leave, and who pays for the journey?
• What happens if you are ill? Is sick leave paid, and do you need a medical certificate?

Overtime

• Is overtime compulsory or optional?
• How is it calculated and when is it paid?
• Is it in writing before you work it, or agreed in the moment?
• Is there a limit on how many extra hours you can be asked to work?

Conditions for hot or heavy work

• If you work outdoors in high heat or do heavy physical work, are there rules about breaks, water, shade and the hours of the day when work stops?
• Who provides protective equipment, and is it free?
• Ask these before you accept. They affect your health, not only your pay.

Keep your own record

• Write down the date, start time, finish time and break each day.
• Note any overtime and who asked for it.
• Keep it in a notebook or a phone note, and back it up.
• A record helps you check your payslip and is useful if there is a dispute.

Compare with the rules

Your destination's labour authority may publish rules about hours and rest. Our before-you-fly pages name the authority we found for each destination. Treat the authority's own website as the source, not this page.

If you are being asked to work beyond what was agreed

• Ask politely what the contract says.
• Keep a record.
• Raise it in writing with your supervisor or your recruiter.
• Seek advice from the labour authority or your embassy if it continues.

This guide gives general information and is not legal advice.