Shift work

Shift work involving two or more persons may be required for technical or financial reasons. An authorisation from the competent authority is necessary if the conditions of such work exceed the restrictions set forth in the Employment Act (EmpA) to protect young workers.

Generally speaking, daily working hours, which are limited to a maximum of 9 for young workers and learners, must take place during a 12-hour period (including breaks). Only young people aged over 16 are authorised to work from 8.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Provided these limitations are respected, shift work involving at least two persons may in principle be authorised for young people but it is extremely rare for apprentices to carry out shift work.

Subject to exceptions, an adult's working day cannot start before 6.00 a.m. (or between 5.00 a.m. and 7.00 a.m.) and should finish at the latest by 11.00 p.m. (or between 10.00 p.m. and midnight).