Our readers will be aware the Working Time Directive is health and safety at work legislation, brought into force in NI in 1998 and now consolidated under the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016. The Regulations entitle workers to annual leave, daily breaks and weekly breaks, amongst other things.

In relation to weekly breaks, workers are entitled to a minimum of one day off in every seven. The question, in this case, was whether the weekly rest has to be taken at the end of six days of working, to allow for a break between weeks, or whether workers may lawfully be asked to work up to 12 days in a row, provided they are given two days' rest