Extend Working Time Regulations to contracted freelance workers
Mandate that freelance contracts must abide by the following Working Time Regulations: • Maximum of 48 hours/week • Right to rest
Signatures
8
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 8/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 8/100,000
- 11 AUG 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Sophie Mapplebeck
Background
Many industries engage freelancers for lengthy contracts of 50+ hours per week, exceeding the working time limits which standard employees have the right to. I propose that the Working Time Regulations regarding maximum weekly working time and daily/weekly rest become a statutory right for freelancers who are engaged by a company, in keeping with the need to protect the health and safety of workers. Optionally, employers may offer an opt-out for freelancers who want to work in excess of 48 hours/week as overtime.