Night shifts in the hospitality: supplements and regulations

Working in hospitality often means irregular working hours. Night shifts bring extra challenges for both employers and employees. There are specific rules regarding working hours, rest periods, and supplements. How often can someone work a night shift? What are the maximum working hours? And who is entitled to a supplement? This article provides an overview of the most important rules.

What is a night shift?

According to the Working Hours Act (ATW), a night shift is defined as when an employee works for more than one hour between 00:00 and 06:00. Night shifts have stricter rules than day shifts to prevent overexertion and protect employee health.
In the hotel industry, night shifts are common, especially in roles such as night porters and night receptionists. Hotels are open 24 hours a day and therefore frequently offer night jobs.

Working hours and rest periods for night shifts

For employees aged 18 and older, the following applies:

  • A shift can last a maximum of 12 hours.

  • The total workweek cannot exceed 60 hours.

  • Over a period of 4 weeks, the average workweek can be a maximum of 55 hours.

  • Over a period of 16 weeks, the average workweek cannot exceed 48 hours.

Specific rules for night shifts

  • A night shift can last a maximum of 10 hours.

  • If an employee works fewer than 16 night shifts in 16 weeks, they may work an average of 48 hours per week.

  • If 16 or more night shifts are worked in 16 weeks, the maximum is 40 hours per week on average.

  • If an employee works after 02:00, at least 14 hours of rest must follow. In exceptional cases, this can be shortened to 8 hours once a week if business conditions require it.

  • After a series of 3 or more night shifts, a mandatory rest period of at least 46 hours applies.

Maximum number of night shifts per year

According to the hospitality collective labor agreement (cao), an employee may work a maximum of 140 night shifts in any consecutive period of 52 weeks.

  • An employee may not work more than 7 consecutive shifts if one of them is a night shift.

  • Full-time night work is not allowed in most hospitality businesses. Only in venues where night shifts form the majority of the operations, such as nightclubs, can an employee work up to 20 night shifts per 4 weeks.

Working hours for young employees aged 16 and 17

Stricter rules apply to young workers aged 16 and 17:

  • They may work a maximum of 9 hours per day and 45 hours per week.

  • Over a period of 4 weeks, the average workweek cannot exceed 40 hours.

  • Night work is not allowed; young workers may only work until 23:00.

Night supplements in hospitality

Who is entitled to a night supplement?
Not all hospitality workers are entitled to a night work supplement. The hospitality cao specifies that only employees in front-office roles in accommodation businesses (such as hotels) are entitled to a night supplement. This means that employees in restaurants, cafes, and fast food chains are not entitled to this supplement unless separate agreements are made by the employer.

How much is the night supplement?

  • The night supplement is 10% of the hourly wage.

  • The supplement applies to every night shift worked between 00:00 and 06:00.

  • The supplement is also applied to hours before 00:00 and after 06:00 if they are part of the same night shift.

Additional rights and health of employees

Medical check-ups for night workers
Working at night affects the body and circadian rhythms. Therefore, employers are required to offer regular medical check-ups to night shift workers.

Rest periods and compensation

  • Employees with regular night shifts may be entitled to extra vacation days or compensation in the form of free time under some collective labor agreements (caos).

  • It is not allowed to have employees regularly work night shifts without alternating with day shifts, unless an exception is allowed in the cao or business operations.

Tips for employers and employees

For employers:

  • Ensure a clear schedule with sufficient rest periods.

  • Check whether employees are entitled to a night supplement and ensure correct payment.

  • Offer employees working night shifts the opportunity for medical check-ups and discuss alternative schedules if someone struggles with night work.

For employees:

  • Check the collective labor agreement (cao) and your employment contract to see if you are entitled to a night supplement.

  • Maintain good sleep hygiene and a healthy day-night rhythm to better handle night shifts.

  • Request a medical check-up if you notice that night shifts are affecting your health.

Conclusion

Night shifts in hospitality are subject to strict rules to prevent overexertion. The maximum working hours per week depend on the number of night shifts worked. Employees in hotels with front-office roles receive a 10% supplement, while employees in restaurants and cafes are not entitled to this.
By making clear agreements and considering working hours, rest periods, and supplements, night shifts can be organized in a healthy and fair way.

Are you looking for a night job? Check the current vacancies for night receptionists and night porters.

More information about night shifts and regulations can be found in the hospitality cao and on the website of the Dutch government.

This article has been reviewed by:

Sander (A.J.C.) Theunissen
Employment Lawyer (Counsel) - CLINT | Littler

Sander (A.J.C.) Theunissen has over fifteen years of experience and specializes in labor law and works council law. He has gained experience in labor law for the hospitality industry, among other areas.