Working Hours and Holidays

Your Rights as an Apprentice

As an apprentice, you are an employee. This means you have the same basic workplace rights as anyone else doing a job, regardless of your age or experience level.

Some employers may not realise this, or may assume apprentices can be treated differently when it comes to things like time off or working hours. They cannot. The law applies to you in the same way it applies to your colleagues.

Knowing where you stand helps you spot problems early and speak up if something does not seem right. Your contract should set out the details, so read it carefully and keep a copy.

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Holiday Entitlement

You are entitled to paid holiday just like any other worker. The legal minimum in the UK is 5.6 weeks per year for someone working five days a week. This works out at 28 days, and your employer can include bank holidays within that total if they choose.

If you work part time, your entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis. Your contract should make clear how many days you can take and whether bank holidays count towards your allowance.

Some employers offer more than the minimum, and your entitlement may increase the longer you stay with them. Check what applies to you and keep track of the days you use throughout the year. It is easy to reach the end of your leave year with unused holiday, and not all employers allow you to carry days over.

If you are unsure how your entitlement is worked out, GOV.UK has a holiday entitlement calculator that can help.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Working Hours

The Working Time Regulations set limits on how many hours you can be expected to work. For most workers, this means an average of 48 hours per week, calculated over a 17 week period.

You also have the right to:

• A minimum of 11 consecutive hours off between working days
• At least one full day off each week, or two days off per fortnight
• A 20 minute break if your working day is longer than six hours

If you are under 18, different rules apply. You cannot usually work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, and you are entitled to longer rest breaks.

Some workers sign an opt out agreement, which allows them to work more than 48 hours a week. You cannot be forced to sign one, and you can cancel it at any time with notice. If you feel pressured to opt out, this may be worth raising with Acas or a union if you belong to one.

What To Do If Something Is Wrong

If you think your employer is not giving you the holiday or rest breaks you are entitled to, start by checking your contract and any written policies. A calm conversation with your manager or HR team will often clear things up.

If that does not help, you can contact Acas for free advice. They offer guidance on workplace rights and can help if things become more formal. Citizens Advice is another option for general support.

You should not feel awkward about asking questions or raising concerns. These are basic legal rights, not special favours, and most employers will want to get things right once the issue is pointed out.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Apprenticeship Eligibility Checker lets you tell us about your situation and find out which UK apprenticeships you qualify for and how to apply. Try it now →