Fighting fatigue: the Working Time Directive and Re-flow

Staying compliant with the Working Time Directive1 (WTD) can be a complex, time-consuming task – especially for businesses operating across multiple sites with large teams. With legal requirements to track working hours, prevent fatigue-related incidents, and manage compliance, companies face serious risks if mistakes are made.

Re-flow’s fatigue tracking2 feature streamlines operations, eliminates human error, and protects workers, all while ensuring safety standards are upheld through WTD compliance.

The Working Time Directive overview: what you need to know

The WTD, of course, sets legal limits on working hours to protect employees from fatigue and overwork. Key points include:

·       Employees cannot work more than 48 hours per week, averaged over 17 weeks (unless they opt out).

·       Workers under 18 are limited to 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week.

·       Employees who opt out must do so voluntarily, in writing, and can opt back in with notice.

Overtime pay and opt-out considerations

·       Employers don’t have to pay a higher rate for overtime unless contractually agreed3.

·       If an employee hasn’t opted out, they can exceed 48 hours in a single week – but their average over 17 weeks must remain below the legal limit.

·       Employees cannot be treated unfairly for refusing to opt out.

On-call hours and working time rules

For industries requiring 24-hour staffing tracking compliance manually is a challenge. On-call time4 often creates grey areas:

·       If an employee must remain at a set location and respond immediately, this is counted as working time – even if they aren’t actively working.

·       If an employee only needs to be contactable (e.g. by phone) and is free to do personal activities, this is typically not counted as working time until they begin a task.

·       Once an employee starts performing duties, their working time begins, and they must be paid accordingly.

Why fatigue tracking matters

Fatigue isn’t just a compliance issue – it’s a serious safety risk. Poorly managed working hours lead to:

• Reduced concentration and decision-making ability.

• Increased accident risk on-site and on the road.

• Long-term health issues and reduced productivity.

The consequences can be severe, from life-threatening accidents to major fines and legal action. Managing compliance effectively isn’t just about following the rules – it’s about protecting your workforce and business.

How Re-flow automates compliance and fatigue tracking

Ensuring these rules are followed across multiple shifts, locations, and teams is complex. Re-flow automates this process5, ensuring no worker is scheduled beyond their legal limit.

·       Fatigue management is built into scheduling, preventing compliance risks before they happen.

·       As operatives are assigned jobs, the system checks pre-set criteria and blocks scheduling if limits are exceeded.

·       Digital timesheets automatically build out a company-wide database of working hours.

·       Managers gain real-time visibility into workforce scheduling, reducing admin workload.

·       Non-compliance risks – like excessive hours – are flagged and prevented, avoiding serious incidents and fines.

Customisable Automation for your business

Re-flow’s intuitive interface makes compliance simple, with configurable settings that match your company’s specific needs.

You can set automated restrictions on working hours, including:

·       Maximum hours per shift or per week.

·       Limits on consecutive days worked before a required break.

·       Minimum rest periods between shifts.

·       Notification triggers for admin teams if scheduling conflicts arise.

With Re-flow, companies can eliminate human error and ensure compliance runs seamlessly in the background – so you can focus on running an efficient, safe business.

Take a deeper dive into the Working Time Directive here