Is the Working Time Directive/Regulations suspended during the pandemic?
No, the Working Time Directive is not suspended during the pandemic and the Working Time Regulations and NHS Agenda for Change agreement remain in force. The Directive and the Regulations / agreement recognise the special nature of healthcare work and there are flexibilities in the Regulations which can be used to respond to the demands of the pandemic. This must be done in conjunction with staff side organisations and agreed locally and we would strongly recommend early local discussions with staff side colleagues to discuss in detail any changes you may need to consider at a local level to maintain services. Staff are entitled to work no more than 48 hours over the reference period (currently the national agreement sets out a reference period for most non medical staff of 17 week). To enable greater flexibility and help sustain the service it has been agreed in the Staff Council that in exceptional circumstances the reference period may be extended by agreement with locally recognise
