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Current position on the opt-out in the UK As the opt out is going through a negotiating process in Europe, the UK law remains unchanged on this point and workers are still able to opt-out of the weekly working time limits.  The UK will be given time to implement any changes to legislation and any future developments on this and other Working Time topics will be posted on this website in due course. The basic rights and protections that the Regulations provide are: a limit of an average of 48 hours a week which a worker can be required to work (though workers can choose to work more if they want to). a limit of an average of 8 hours work in 24 which nightworkers can be required to work. a right for night workers to receive free health assessments. a right to 11 hours rest a day. a right to a day off each week. a right to an in-work rest break if the working day is longer than 6 hours. a right to 4 weeks paid leave per year.