IrelandCan I be forced to work more than 48 hours per week?
Generally, no — the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 limits the average working week to 48 hours, unless you voluntarily opt out in writing.
What the Law Says
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets legal limits on working time in Ireland to protect workers’ health and safety. It establishes maximum average weekly working hours, daily limits, rest periods, and rules for opting out.
Under the Act, your average working week must not exceed 48 hours over a reference period — usually 4 months, but up to 6 months if agreed in a collective agreement or with the Labour Court’s approval.
This includes all time you are at your employer’s disposal and carrying out duties — not just scheduled hours, but also overtime, on-call time where you must remain available, and certain travel time.
You cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week on average unless you freely agree to an 'opt-out' in writing. Your employer must keep a record of this opt-out for at least 2 years.
Even with an opt-out, other protections still apply — for example, you’re entitled to at least 11 consecutive hours of rest in every 24-hour period, 24 uninterrupted hours of rest each week (or 48 hours over two weeks), and a 15-minute break after 4.5 hours of work.
Statutory TextThe average working time for each seven-day period, calculated over a reference period, shall not exceed 48 hours.
— Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, s. 15 — Maximum average working time
What to Do
Check your contract and any written opt-out agreement — it must be voluntary, in writing, and signed by you.
If you did not sign an opt-out, track your hours over 4 months to confirm if your average exceeds 48 hours.
Raise concerns with your employer in writing — cite Section 15 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) if your employer refuses to comply — they can investigate and enforce the law.
Keep records of your hours worked, breaks taken, and any communications about working time.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.