How Much Overtime Can Employees Legally Work in a Day? Seeking Clarification

Hi,

I am Suganya G., working in the KPO industry as a Jr. HR Executive. I have a question: What is the maximum overtime an employee can work per day? Kindly clarify my doubt as soon as possible.

Thank you.

As per the Factories Act, a maximum of 50 hours per quarter is allowed in Maharashtra.

Hi,

This is Suganya G., working in the KPO industry as an HR professional. What is the maximum time an employee can work overtime in the service sector as per the Indian Labour Act? Kindly clear my doubt as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Overtime Regulations for KPOs in Tamil Nadu

Yours is a KPO, hence it will not be covered under the Factories Act. Your organization will be covered under the Shops and Establishments Act. This may vary from state to state.

In Tamil Nadu, the Shops and Establishments Act provides for a maximum work period of 10 hours a day, including overtime, in Section 14. This means that no person shall be engaged in overtime work for more than 2 hours on any day in Tamil Nadu in KPOs, BPOs, and other establishments.

There is also a ceiling of 54 hours of work in a week. Assuming you work 6 days a week for 8 hours a day, an employee works for 48 hours. In that week, they can be engaged in overtime for 6 hours spread over 6 days (1 hour a day) or 3 days at 2 hours a day. However, if an employee is on leave, they can be engaged in overtime for 2 hours a day for 5 days.

In simple terms for Tamil Nadu: the maximum overtime allowed is 2 hours in any day. Refer to the relevant provisions of the Shops and Establishments Act in the respective states.

Regards,
Sivasankaran

In Ghana, it should not be more than your stipulated daily working hours (8). However, depending on the work to be done and its importance, one can take maybe a few hours break until the target is met.