Can I work 2 shifts back to back?

Lirin

We're a little short in work today.

Can I voluntarily agree to work a day shift, with other people, then a night shift, alone back to back?

My employer's not pressuring me- far from it. I'd happily do it on a one-off basis, as it's not particulary hard work, and the night shift's really just looking after the place.

It would be 2 12hour shifts, with plenty of rest breaks thrown in. It was my suggestion- I do know the working time regs, just want to check if I would be violating legal limits. I know there's 11 hours between shifts- can I volunteer to break this on a one-off basis?

Hammyman

Legally, you'd not be having a sufficient daily rest unless you opted out. The reality of it is that you're not likely to get caught as its not really pro-actively policed. However I can guarantee you'll feel like hell for a couple of days or more after.

Lirin

I know- just we are really stuck and it would help us out....

On the phone to everyone at mo to see if we can scrub up an extra somewhere!

benham3160

I'd be very wary of working a night-shift alone, infact in a lot of cases it is unlawful to work alone.

I used to work "alone nights" in a busy hotel, I had some of the most terrifying experiences of my life. Also I worked with a few "back to back" workers, and they were the most sanctamonious, pious people forever bleating on about how they've "worked nearly 24 hours, pity me, pity me, pity ME!".... Well, you chose to do it pal....

Regards,
Andy

teabelly

Even if you have opted out of the WTD the Daily Rest still applies IIRC. So short answer is no you can't. The most you could do would be to work until 11 hours before your next natural shift was due to occur.

x.x.x.

teabelly wrote: »

Even if you have opted out of the WTD the Daily Rest still applies IIRC. So short answer is no you can't. The most you could do would be to work until 11 hours before your next natural shift was due to occur.

Doesn't it depend on the type of job? I work in retail, as have been told its 8 hours between shifts...I can quite often have a shift were i finish at 930pm (although this can run 10-15mins late) ,and have to be back in for 6am

benham3160

x.x.x. wrote: »

Doesn't it depend on the type of job? I work in retail, as have been told its 8 hours between shifts...I can quite often have a shift were i finish at 930pm (although this can run 10-15mins late) ,and have to be back in for 6am

No, this is wrong.

Regards,
Andy

x.x.x.

benham3160 wrote: »

No, this is wrong.

Regards,
Andy

Hi Andy,
Can you point me in the right direction of any info to support this? When i looked into it before, it seemed to say that it doesnt apply to retail..
Many thanks

teabelly

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029426

WTD info from a horse's mouth.

Lirin

Many thanks for the replies- finally got someone to answer their phone and agree to cover!

Was only a last resort thought...

Madjock

teabelly wrote: »

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029426

WTD info from a horse's mouth.

Retail is an excepted industry from the rest breaks periods.