Working Hours
The maximum weekly working hours for an employee in the UK is 48 hours per week on average in a 17-week period. However, the standard full-time working hours is usually between 35-40 hours (average of 37.5 hours) between Monday-Friday.
There's an option for employees to work more than the 48-hour average workweek. However, this requires their voluntary written consent through their employment contract or a separate "opt-out" agreement. It's important to remember that opting out is entirely up to the employee, and they cannot be penalised for their decision.
Any employee working less hours per week on average than the full-time working hours in the Company, is considered a part-time worker.
Overtime
An employee is not required to work overtime unless their contract states that they are required to. You may also find in their employment contract if overtime work is paid or unpaid.
There is no legal requirement for employees to be paid on their overtime but the standard rate in the UK if it is paid, is at least 1.5x their normal day's rate.
Part-time Working
Part-time employees are entitled to the same statutory benefits as full-time employees but on a pro-rata basis. This includes special holidays and annual leave. Statutory sick leave and pay cannot be prorated however company sick pay schemes will depend on the policy agreed with the employee.
Flexible Working Requests
Any changes to an employee's regular work schedule, such as part-time hours or annualised hours, require a written amendment to their employment contract. This amendment needs signatures from both the employee and Global Teams (upon your approval).
Employee-led request
If an employee requests a schedule change, please contact GT Zendesk with the following information:
- Start Date
- End Date: If the change is temporary, specify the end date.
- Type of Change: Indicate whether it's a shift to part-time, annualized hours, etc.
- Your Approval
- What you have communicated with the employee so far
- Other Contractual Changes: Mention if you would like any other aspects of the contract (e.g., pay) to be adjusted. Global Teams will inform you if there are other terms that may be affected by the flexible working request.
Employees have the right to request flexible working arrangements from their first day of employment. Up to two requests can be made within a 12-month period. These requests must be submitted in writing. You are obligated to respond to both requests.
You may decline a flexible work request, but only after consultation with the employee and providing a legitimate reason for the denial.
Employer-led request
To initiate a reduction in an employee's working hours, you must have a valid reason, such as:
- Alignment with the employee's role and responsibilities
- Changes in the business situation
- Reduced need for the employee's current workload
It is important to contact Global Teams before communicating any reduction in working hours to the employee directly.
Fixed-Term Contracts
Fixed-term contracts are temporary agreements with a predetermined end date or project completion timeframe as specified in the contract. Employees will remain employed by Global Teams until the agreed-upon end date or project completion unless terminated early or switched to a permanent contract.
All fixed-term contracts, including extensions and transitions to permanent positions, require written consent from both the employee and Global Teams.
The termination process and protection for fixed-term contracts follows the same as permanent employees.
The employer is not required to give advanced notice to the employee for non-renewal unless they have been with the company for over 1 year. It is assumed that the employee's fixed-term contract is not renewed unless the employee continues to work for the employer passed the termination date.
If an employee exceeds a total of 4 years continuous employment with Global Teams (including transfers of employment), they will be deemed as a permanent employee. During this 4 years, there are no restrictions on the number of renewals.
Please contact GT Zendesk if you are having issues with a fixed-term employee and/or considering termination.