The CJEU has ruled that stand-by time of a worker at home who is obliged to respond to calls from the employer within a short period must be regarded as ‘working time’ because the obligation to remain physically present at the place determined by the employer and the requirement to reach the place of work within a short period very significantly restrict a worker’s opportunities for other activities.

Mr Matzak was a part-time firefighter in the town of Nivelles in Belgium. He also had another job. Volunteer firefighters are involved in the operations of the fire service. Among other tasks devolved to them, they are, in particular, on stand-by and on duty at the fire station, for which a