Change to Working Time - Applicable only for those without a fixed place of work

Posted  14th September 2015

Following the decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Thursday, you may have seen a lot of information on the news regarding changes to working time and ensuring compliance with the Working Time Regulations.

The ECJ’s decision is unlikely to impact significantly on Schools, as it only applies to workers that do not have a fixed or habitual place of work (sometimes referred to peripatetic workers). Where staff fall into this category, the ECJ confirmed that the time spent travelling from home, to the premises of the first customer, and from the last customer home again, constituted ‘working time,’ within the meaning of the Working Time Directive and that staff should therefore be paid for this time.

Whilst this decision is unlikely to have a significant impact on a majority of schools, peripatetic teachers may of course consider increasing their charges on the basis of this decision. Within other sectors, this is likely to have a greater impact on staffing costs.

If you do have any further queries regarding this recent decision please do not hesitate to contact us.

Judicium Education


Employment Rights Act (ERA) update – Unfair Dismissal Changes and How to Prepare
  May 05 2026

The ERA is introducing increased worker protections and in this article we will focus on the forthcoming changes to unfair dismissal and how to prepare. From January 2027, the qualifying period for ordinary unfair dismissal claims will reduce from two years to six months. At the same time the cap on the unfair dismissal compensatory award will be abolished.

Read more

6 top tips for dealing with workplace conflict in schools before it escalates
  April 26 2026

Because conflict in schools rarely begins with one big dramatic moment, and is far more likely to grow slowly through strained conversations, crossed wires, unspoken frustration and small disagreements that never quite get repaired, it can be surprisingly easy for a situation to become serious before anyone fully realises quite how far it’s gone.

Read more

The People and Payroll Hierarchy of Needs in Schools and MATs
  April 26 2026

People sit at the heart of every education setting. In this blog, we explore the People and Payroll Hierarchy of Needs and why getting the basics right is essential for building a thriving, supported workforce.

Read more

Employment Rights Act (ERA) Update - Whistleblowing Protections for Sexual Harassment from April 2026
  April 14 2026

The ERA has introduced increased worker protections, and in this article, we will focus on the new protections for sexual harassment. From 6 April 2026, sexual harassment disclosures will be protected under whistleblowing law, and by October 2026, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, including liability for third-party actions.   

Read more

Judicium Shortlisted for MAT Excellence Awards 2026!
  March 05 2026

Judicium Education has been shortlisted for the MAT Excellence Awards 2026 in Company of the Year and Trust Collaboration categories.

Read more

Attracting Top Talent: How Schools and Academy Trusts Can Improve Their Recruitment Strategy
  February 25 2026

In this blog, we will explore effective strategies that school and academy trust leaders can use to attract top talent and sustain a strong, successful team for ongoing success.

Read more