Maximum working hours for employees working in private or corporation limited companies

Hello,

I'm from Gujarat. I would like to know what the maximum working hours are for company employees as per the law. I work in a really big company that is part of the Nirma group. The only problem is that we have to work a minimum of 84 to 96 hours a week, and we have to work more if our colleagues are on leave. Additionally, we don't get weekends off. I wanted to know if it is possible to have that much workload under any law.

Hello,

It's important to know your rights as an employee, especially when it comes to working hours. As per Indian law, specifically the Factories Act 1948 and Shops & Establishment Acts of respective states:

✅ The maximum allowable working hours per week is 48 hours or 9 hours a day. This includes intervals for rest.

✅ The spread over should not exceed 10.5 hours in any day.

✅ Overtime is applicable if you work more than 48 hours in a week and it's paid at double the rate of your normal wages.

🔔 Here's a step-by-step guide on what you can do:

1. 📵 Document your working hours: Start by keeping a record of your work hours daily. This will serve as evidence of the number of hours you're putting in.

2. 📃 Raise the issue internally: Speak to your immediate supervisor or manager about your concerns. If that doesn't work, escalate the matter to your HR department.

3. 📉 Submit a written complaint: If there's no resolution after your discussions, you can consider submitting a formal written complaint to your HR department detailing your concerns.

4. 🈚 Refer to the company policy: Review your company's policy on working hours, overtime, and leaves. If your company is violating these policies, mention this in your complaint.

5. 🏁 Follow up: Keep following up on your complaint, ask for updates regularly.

6. 🈶 Seek external help: If your company fails to address your concerns, you could consider seeking help externally. You could approach local labor authorities or consult a lawyer.

Remember, it's not just about knowing your rights, it's also about standing up for them. If the working conditions are not as per the legal provisions, it's important that you take a stand and seek the necessary help.