48 Hour Opt Out Letter by Business Gateway
Updated 15 October 2025
The Business Gateway 48-Hour Opt Out Letter allows employees to voluntarily agree to work more than the average 48-hour weekly limit set by the Working Time Regulations 1998. It provides flexibility for both employer and employee while ensuring compliance with legal requirements and maintaining the employee’s right to withdraw consent with notice.
48-Hour Opt Out Letter
(on headed paper) – not suitable for Apprentices or young people under the age of 18 years
Dear [employee name]
Working Time Regulations 1998 – 48-Hour Opt Out Letter
Under the Working Time Regulations 1998 a worker’s average weekly working time (including overtime) calculated over a rolling 17 week period must not exceed 48 hours.
The Regulations provide that this limit will not apply where a worker has agreed with his Employer, in writing, that it should not apply in his case.
I am therefore asking you to agree to opt out to enable you to decide on your own hours of work.
You may withdraw your agreement by giving the Company three months advance notice in writing. Please confirm your agreement by signing where indicated on the section below.
Yours sincerely
For and on behalf of [company name]
Signature
[company representative name]
[company representative title]
I agree that the limit specified in Regulation 4 (1) of the Working Time Regulations 1998 shall not apply in my case.
Signed: __________________________________________
Name: (please print) [employee name]
Date: [signature date]
About this template
What is this template?
48 Hour Opt Out Letter by Business Gateway is a free, ready-to-use Employment Contracts template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Employment Contracts template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales and Scotland in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Employment Contracts usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.