Decimal hours: 2,400 ÷ 60 = 40.00 (decimals are shown to 2 places; the minutes figure is exact)
Working time is wider than shift time: job-related training, travel that is part of the job (not ordinary commuting) and time on call at the workplace all count; breaks where no work is done do not. One heavy week is not a breach by itself. The 48-hour limit is an average, so check a sustained pattern in the 48-hour average mode.
Basis: 48-hour average, normally over 17 weeks, plus the usual rest-break and rest-period checks. The result does not decide whether an exception, opt-out or special rule applies. Use the current official guidance for those cases.
How do I calculate working hours from start and finish times?
Subtract the start time from the finish time and deduct unpaid breaks. For a shift that crosses midnight, carry the finish into the next calendar day before subtracting.
How do I convert minutes to decimal hours?
Divide the minutes by 60. For example, 30 minutes is 0.50 hours and 20 minutes is 0.33 hours when shown to two decimal places.
Is a total 20 minutes of breaks enough on a long day?
The usual right is one uninterrupted 20-minute rest break when an adult works more than six hours. Several shorter breaks totalling 20 minutes do not prove that requirement was met.
How is the 48-hour weekly average checked?
Add working hours across the reference period and divide by the number of weeks. The normal reference period is 17 weeks, although different rules can apply.
Why can the result say fractionally above when it displays 48.00?
The legal comparison uses the unrounded average so a small excess is not hidden. The headline rounds to two decimal places for readability and calls out a fractional excess separately.
Does the calculator decide whether a working pattern is lawful?
No. It totals the entries and flags common checks. Opt-outs, night work, young workers, special sectors, multiple jobs and on-call time need the official guidance and the facts of the arrangement.