IrelandMy zero-hours contract gives me no guaranteed work.
A zero-hours contract is not illegal in Ireland, but you still have rights — including the right to a minimum average working week and rest periods under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
What the Law Says
The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets minimum standards for working time, rest periods, and breaks — and these apply even if your contract guarantees no hours.
Even on a zero-hours contract, your employer must comply with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. This law protects all 'employees' — defined broadly to include people who work under any contract, whether written or not, and regardless of how many hours they’re offered.
The Act limits the average working week to 48 hours over a reference period (usually 4 months), ensures daily and weekly rest periods, and requires rest breaks during long working days.
Importantly, the law does not require employers to offer a minimum number of hours — so zero-hours contracts themselves are lawful — but it does require that when you *are* working, your rest and time limits are respected.
Statutory TextAn employee shall not be required to work more than an average of 48 hours per week...
— Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, s. 18 — Maximum average working week
What to Do
Check your payslips and work records to confirm your average weekly hours over the past 4 months.
If you worked more than 48 hours on average, or missed required rest breaks (e.g., 11 hours between shifts or 15-minute breaks after 4.5 hours), raise this with your employer in writing.
If unresolved, contact the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) — they handle complaints about breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.
Keep records: dates worked, start/end times, and any refusals of rest periods or breaks.
Sources
Not 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.