On duty guards: work time or rest period?

Abstract

This study addresses the question of whether or not the so-called “on-call duty guards” should be considered working time or not. This issue is addressed in light of two important and recent pronouncements of the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice of the European Union interpreting the scope of art. 2 of Directive 2003/88/EC, of November 4, relative to certain aspects of the organisation of working time. Said pronouncements are of special relevance since they establish the circumstances that the national courts must balance in order to qualify on-call guards either as work time or as a rest period.