The general maximum is an average of 48 working hours per week, usually measured over 4 months. A particular week can exceed 48 hours if the average over the applicable reference period remains within the limit and rest rights are respected.
Why 48 hours is an average
The rule allows busy and quiet weeks to balance across a reference period. That does not create permission for unlimited long shifts: daily rest, weekly rest, break rules, health and safety duties and any contractual hours still apply.
Paid leave and certain statutory absences are not simply treated as heavy-work weeks in the averaging calculation. Exact working-time records matter.
Reference periods
The general reference period is four months. It can be six months for specified activities involving seasonality, foreseeable surges or continuity of service or production. A Labour Court-approved collective agreement can allow a 12-month period.
Do not use a longer period merely because it produces a lower average. The employment must fall within the relevant exception or agreement.
Worked averaging example
An employee works 52 hours a week for eight weeks and 44 hours a week for the next eight. Total hours are 768; divided by 16 weeks, the average is 48 hours. This simplified example does not check daily rest, weekly rest or other restrictions.
Daily and weekly rest
Employees are generally entitled to 11 consecutive hours of daily rest in each 24-hour period and 24 consecutive hours of weekly rest in each seven days, following a daily rest period. Compensatory rest and sector-specific rules can matter where ordinary rest cannot be provided.
Night work and special categories
Night workers have additional limits. WRC guidance describes a 48-hour weekly average over two months for night workers generally and an absolute eight-hour limit in 24 hours for night work involving special hazards or heavy physical or mental strain.
Separate rules or exclusions can apply to transport, sea work, trainee doctors, defence and policing, employees controlling their own hours and other defined categories.
Overtime does not cancel the limit
Hours labelled “overtime” still count as working time. A contract may create an overtime rate, but pay does not make excessive hours lawful. Sunday compensation and public holiday benefits are also separate from the 48-hour average.
How to check your average
- Identify the correct reference period for the employment.
- Use start and finish records, not only paid totals.
- Separate breaks that do not count as working time.
- Total working hours and divide by the weeks in the period.
- Check daily rest, weekly rest and night-work rules separately.
Count working days in a date range
Separate weekdays, weekends and Irish public holidays for planning and record checks.
Count working daysFrequently asked questions
Can I work more than 48 hours in one week in Ireland?
A particular week may exceed 48 hours because the general rule is an average, but the applicable reference period and rest rights still apply.
What is the usual averaging period?
For employees generally, the 48-hour average is measured over four months. Defined cases can use six or 12 months.
Does overtime count towards 48 hours?
Yes. Overtime hours are working time and count in the average.
What daily rest should I receive?
Employees are generally entitled to 11 consecutive hours of rest in each 24-hour period.
Are all employees covered by the same rule?
No. Exclusions and separate regulations apply to some categories and industries.
Does annual leave count as hours worked for the average?
The working-time calculation has specific treatment for leave and absences; use actual working-time records and official guidance.
Official sources
Rules and thresholds can change. Check the source that applies to your circumstances before making an important decision.
Important: This guide provides general information for workers in Ireland. It does not replace your contract, payroll records, official guidance or advice on a disputed or unusual case.