Are Our 54-Hour Work Weeks Legal Under the Bombay Shops Act? Seeking Clarity on Office Hours

Our company's daily working hours are 9 hours, including a 30-minute lunch break. In a week, we work for 54 hours, including breaks and 1 weekly off. Is it correct legally?

My question is, as per the Shop Act, in a week working hours should not exceed 48 hours, or there should be a 5-day working week. We do not provide any overtime. Please help me decide on office timing norms.

Dear Madam,

You are correct; the working hours under the Shops Act in Maharashtra are 8 hours, excluding a half-hour lunch break. The timings should comply with this regulation. If you are working for 9 hours daily, it constitutes a violation. If detected by the Shops inspector, it will result in punishment.

Regards,
Vinayak Nagarkar
HR Consultant

Rule position has been amply brought out - 48 hrs in a week. However, in offices all over India, a large number of employees work or are made to work more than that.

Col. Suresh Rathi