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How many night shifts in a row can you work in the UK?
There is no legal maximum on the number of consecutive night shifts in the UK. The Working Time Regulations 1998 limit a night worker's normal hours to an average of 8 in each 24, and give every worker 11 hours' rest a day and a weekly rest period. Employers must also manage the risk of fatigue.
By Asier Fernández ·
The rules that apply
| Rule | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Night work limit | A night worker's normal hours must not exceed an average of 8 hours in each 24, usually over 17 weeks. | WTR reg. 6 |
| Daily rest | At least 11 consecutive hours' rest in each 24-hour period (12 for young workers). | WTR reg. 10 |
| Weekly rest | 24 uninterrupted hours in each 7 days, or 48 hours in each 14 days if the employer decides. | WTR reg. 11 |
So a run of four or five 12-hour nights can be lawful: the 12 hours off between shifts meets the daily rest rule, and the average of 8 hours in 24 is worked out over weeks, not on each night. Some workers are covered by exceptions, and the rest rules can be changed by collective or workforce agreements with compensatory rest. See working time rules for shift workers for the detail.
Fatigue is the employer's duty
The Health and Safety Executive points out that accidents and injuries are more frequent on night shifts, after a succession of shifts and when shifts are long, and that the legal duty to manage fatigue is on the employer, whatever an individual is willing to work (HSE). If you are regularly asked to work long runs of nights, raise it with your manager or safety representative.
How common rotas compare
On a continental rota you never work more than 2 nights in a row; on a 4 on 4 off rotating pattern, 4 nights; on a DuPont-type pattern, 4. Check your own rota against the 48-hour average week and the 11-hour daily rest on the UK rota calendar, and plan the bank holidays with bank holidays for shift workers.
More guides
Figures are worked out from each cycle; rules checked against official sources on . How we calculate
Questions
How many night shifts in a row can you work in the UK?
There is no legal maximum. Night workers' normal hours must average no more than 8 in 24, and every worker is entitled to 11 hours' rest a day and a weekly rest period.
Are 12-hour night shifts legal in the UK?
Yes. The 8-hour limit for night workers is an average over a reference period, usually 17 weeks, not a limit on each shift (WTR reg. 6).
Can I legally work 14 days in a row in the UK?
The weekly rest rule allows an employer to give 48 hours' rest in each 14 days instead of 24 hours in each 7, so 12 days in a row can fit. Collective or workforce agreements can change this.
How much rest do I need between night shifts?
At least 11 consecutive hours in each 24-hour period (WTR reg. 10).
Who is a night worker?
Someone who normally works at least 3 hours during night time, which is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless an agreement sets another 7-hour period including midnight to 5 a.m.