Hours Actually Worked

Categories: Economics,

Hours actually worked includes time spent at the workplace on productive activities and on other activities which are part of the tasks and duties of the jobs concerned (for example, cleaning and preparing working tools). It also includes time spent at the place of work when the person is inactive for reasons linked to the production process or work organization (for example, standby time), as during these periods paid workers remain at the disposal of their employer. Hours actually worked also includes short rest periods spent at the place of work because they are difficult to distinguish separately, even if workers are not at the disposal of their employer during those periods. Explicitly excluded are lunch breaks, as they normally are sufficiently long to be easily distinguished from work periods.