Summary

Vocational training is working time.

Question

Must Article 2(1) of Directive 2003/88 be interpreted as meaning that the period during which workers attend vocational training required by their employer, which takes place away from their usual place of work, at the premises of the training services provider, during which they do not perform their normal duties, constitutes working time within the meaning of that provision?

Ruling

Article 2(1) of Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time must be interpreted as meaning that the period during which a worker attends vocational training required by his or her employer, which takes place away from his or her usual place of work, at the premises of the training services provider, during which he or she does not perform his or her normal duties, constitutes ‘working time’ within the meaning of that provision.