Thanks for your help chaps 35 hours is obviously just one of those things that's written down, but doesn't mean anything. I already knew it didn't actually work like that in real life - like you Aly, I had a contract for 16 hours a week in a bar, but actually worked anything up to 16 hours a day sometimes in the summer, every day! (Not always 16, but most days at least 12). Your job sounds just like what we used to do in England - lots of extra hours without pay. It's not so different here after all. (Just wondered what the actual law was out of curiosity, that's all.) [kiss]