How long must records be retained to demonstrate adherence to working time law?

The correct retention period for records to demonstrate compliance with working time law is two years from the date they were made. This timeframe is established to ensure that employers have the necessary documentation available to verify that they are adhering to labor regulations, particularly regarding employee hours worked, rest periods, and other aspects of working time directives. Keeping records for this duration allows for sufficient oversight and accountability in case of any disputes or audits concerning working hours.

Shorter retention periods, such as one year, may not provide enough historical data to address compliance inquiries effectively. On the other hand, longer periods like three or five years could be excessive in this context, as they might burden businesses with unnecessary record-keeping without a clear requirement from the law. Hence, two years strikes the right balance between compliance and practicality for business operations.