working hours

Meaning

Working hours refers to the specific period of the day or week during which an employee is expected to perform their job duties. It defines the start and end of the professional day and is often outlined in an employment contract.

Examples

• Our standard working hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

  Our standard working hours are from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

• Please do not call my personal phone outside of regular working hours.

  Please do not call my personal phone outside of regular working hours.

• Some companies offer flexible working hours, allowing employees to choose their start times.

  Some companies offer flexible working hours, allowing employees to choose their start times.

• According to my contract, my weekly working hours should not exceed forty.

  According to my contract, my weekly working hours should not exceed forty.

• The company is trying to reduce working hours to improve employee well-being.

  The company is trying to reduce working hours to improve employee well-being.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I work long work hours every day.

  ✓ I work long working hours every day.

  While 'work hours' is sometimes heard, 'working hours' is the standard and more professional collocated term.

• ✗ We are not allowed to use social media during the working hours.

  ✓ We are not allowed to use social media during working hours.

  We generally do not use the definite article 'the' before 'working hours' when speaking generally about the workday.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The company offers flexible ___, so I can start anytime between 7 AM and 10 AM.

  💡 The hours of the day spent doing your job.

  Show answer

  working hours

• It's important to maintain a healthy boundary and not answer emails outside of ___.

  💡 Time spent on the clock at work.

  Show answer

  working hours