Hours and rest

Domestic Workers · Know your rights

Being 'always on call' is still work.

What you should get

• The same treatment as other workers for normal hours, overtime pay, daily and weekly rest and paid annual leave (C189, Art. 10).
• Weekly rest of at least 24 hours in a row (C189, Art. 10).
• Time when you must stay available for the household and are not free to use as you wish counts as working time, to the extent national law or agreements set (C189, Art. 10).

Check for

• Your day off is agreed and written down
• Night-time or on-call duties are agreed and paid

What you can do

• Keep a simple diary of your start and finish times.

Sources: ILO C189, Art. 10 (NORMLEX)

This card is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by country. Information checked 2 October 2026. For help, see piowr.org/domestic-workers and piowr.org/tools/find-help.

Pacific Institute of Workplace Relations · Fair Conditions At Work · piowr.org