If you’re asking how many hours do you have to work to get a break, you’re usually trying to answer one practical question: “At what point does my employer have to let me stop working for a proper break?”

This guide explains the UK minimum legal rules, plus the common real-life scenarios that trip people up.

How many hours do you have to work to get a break in the UK?

For most workers aged 18 and over, the minimum legal rule is straightforward:

How many hours do you have to work to get a break?

You’re entitled to at least a 20-minute uninterrupted rest break if you work more than 6 hours in a day.

That 20 minutes:

• Should be taken during the working day (not right at the start or end).
• Does not have to be paid unless your contract says it is.
• Is a legal minimum; your contract or workplace policy can provide more.

What counts as working time when calculating your break?

Does travel time count?

It depends. Normal commuting usually does not count as working time, but travel that’s part of your job (for example, between sites) often can. If your break entitlement is being disputed, this detail matters.

Does being on call count?

If you’re required to stay at your workstation or be actively available to respond immediately, it can affect whether it counts as working time.

If you’re on standby at home with freedom to do your own thing, it may be treated differently. When in doubt, compare your contract wording to how you’re actually being managed.

Do you get more breaks if you work a 10–12 hour shift?

Legally, an 8-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour shift does not automatically mean you’re entitled to multiple 20-minute breaks by law. The legal minimum for most adults is still a single 20-minute uninterrupted rest break once you’re working more than 6 hours.

That said, many employers provide longer breaks (for wellbeing, safety, and productivity), especially in physically demanding or safety-critical roles.

What are the break rules for under-18s (young workers)?

If you’re above school leaving age and under 18, the minimum rules are stronger:

Age group	When you qualify	Minimum rest break
18+ (most adult workers)	Working day longer than 6 hours	20 minutes uninterrupted
Under 18 (young workers)	Working day longer than 4.5 hours	30 minutes (ideally continuous)

Young workers also typically have stronger daily and weekly rest requirements, which can matter if you’re being rota’d late then early the next day.

Can your employer tell you when to take your break?

Yes, employers can usually schedule breaks to suit the business, as long as you actually get the legal minimum break and it’s taken during the shift (not go home 20 minutes early unless you still got a proper break during the day).

Does your break have to be exactly at the 6-hour mark?

No. The legal rule isn’t a break at 6 hours on the dot. It’s that if your working day is longer than 6 hours, you must be allowed at least one uninterrupted 20-minute break during that working time.

Is your break paid or unpaid?

Many people assume breaks must be paid. In the UK, the legal minimum rest break is often unpaid unless:

• Your employment contract says it’s paid, or
• Your workplace policy says it’s paid.

If your employer deducts pay for a break, they should actually allow you to take it. Deducting time for a break you didn’t get is a common cause of disputes.

Are there jobs where the break rules work differently?

Yes. Some roles have special arrangements due to the nature of the work, for example, where service continuity is required, in some shift patterns, or in certain transport/security contexts.

When exceptions apply, employers may need to provide compensatory rest (making up the rest break in a reasonable way).

Common workplace scenarios (and what to do)

My shift is 6 hours exactly. Do I still get a break?

The legal trigger is typically a working day longer than 6 hours. If your shift is exactly 6 hours, you may not have the statutory right to the 20-minute rest break, but your contract may still give you one.

They won’t let me take a break because I’m alone on shift.

Being understaffed doesn’t remove your rights. Employers should plan staffing so breaks are possible, or provide a lawful alternative arrangement where relevant.

They deduct 20–30 minutes automatically, even when we don’t stop.

This is where problems often escalate fast. Keep a written record of actual break times and raise it promptly.

What should you do if you’re not getting breaks?

Here’s what you can do next (keep it calm and practical):

• Check your employment contract and staff handbook.
• Track your shifts and actual breaks for a few weeks.
• Raise it informally with your manager first.
• Escalate to HR or use the grievance process if needed.
• Seek external advice if the issue continues.

How people talk about this online

Can my employer enforce breaks to be taken *after* working for 6 hours?
byu/ilib2223 inLegalAdviceUK

 

You have a right to at least 24 hours off per week and 11 hours rest between workdays. You also have the right to one uninterrupted 20-minute paid rest break during the working day if working more than 6 hours a day. Find out more at https://t.co/J2DzQAOvZo pic.twitter.com/5NJYGjhgqe

— Scot Gov Rural (@ScotGovRural) November 6, 2025

Final summary

So, how many hours do you have to work to get a break in the UK?

If you’re 18+, the minimum legal entitlement is usually a 20-minute uninterrupted break once you work more than 6 hours in a day. If you’re under 18, you typically qualify for a 30-minute break once you work more than 4.5 hours.

Contracts often improve on the minimum, so if your workplace policy gives more, you should get more. If you’re not getting breaks in practice, track it and raise it early.

FAQ

How many hours do you have to work to get a break in the UK?

For most workers aged 18+, you’re entitled to an uninterrupted 20-minute rest break if you work more than 6 hours in a day.

Do you get a break on a 6-hour shift?

Not always by law (because the legal trigger is typically “more than 6 hours”), but many employers provide a break by contract or policy.

Can an employer make you take your break at a specific time?

Usually yes, as long as you still get your legal minimum break during the working day (not at the very beginning or end).

Is the 20-minute break paid?

Not necessarily. Payment depends on your employment contract or workplace policy.

Author expertise note:

This explainer is written for UK employees and small-business teams who want a clear, operational answer: what the legal minimum is, where contracts often add more, and what to document if breaks aren’t happening in real life.