工时规管包括各国立法对每周工作时间（不同国家或地区称为「标准工时」或「正常工时限制」、最高工时、或超时工作限制）、年假等进行规管。标准工时（或正常工时限制）立法是指政府为雇员透过制订法例而订立特定的工作时数，可按每日、每周、每季或每年而定。如雇员需要超时工作，雇主需要按法例规定之超时补薪比例来支付该劳工超时工作的薪金。普遍来说，外国对每周正常工时订为介乎40-44小时不等，每小时的超时补薪金额不得低于基本时薪的1.5倍。最高工时则是政府设立雇员每日、每周、每季或每年的工作时数上限，雇员的工时不得多于最高工时；各国的一周最高工时由40至60小时不等。

Working time is the period of time that an individual spends at paid occupational labor. Unpaid labors such as personal housework or caring for children/pets are not considered part of the working week. Many countries regulate the work week by law, such as stipulating minimum daily rest periods, annual holidays and a maximum number of working hours per week. Working time may vary from person to person often depending on location, culture, lifestyle choice, and the profitability of the individual's livelihood. For example, someone who is supporting children and paying a large mortgage will need to work more hours to meet a basic cost of living than someone without children of the same earning power. As fewer people than ever are having children choosing part time is becoming more popular.