Business hours clause: Copy, customize, and use instantly
Introduction
A business hours clause defines the standard working hours during which a party is expected to perform obligations, respond to communications, or provide services. It helps set clear expectations for availability, turnaround times, and service coordination—reducing misunderstandings and aligning operational timelines.
Below are templates for business hours clauses tailored to different scenarios. Copy, customize, and insert them into your agreement.
Standard business hours clause
This version defines general working hours for service delivery.
The [Provider/Party] shall perform its obligations under this Agreement during standard business hours, defined as [9:00 AM to 5:00 PM], Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.
Business hours clause with local time zone clarification
This version specifies time zone applicability.
All references to business hours in this Agreement shall refer to the local time zone of the [Provider/Customer], which is [Eastern Standard Time / PST / etc.], unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Business hours clause with extended support availability
This version reflects availability beyond typical hours.
The [Provider] shall make reasonable efforts to provide support services beyond standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, for urgent matters or by prior arrangement.
Business hours clause with regional business hours coverage
This version addresses businesses operating in multiple locations.
Where the parties operate in different jurisdictions, business hours shall be interpreted according to the respective local time zones of each party, unless a single reference time zone is agreed upon.
Business hours clause with reduced hours during holidays
This version accounts for adjusted availability on holidays.
During national or public holidays, the [Provider]’s business hours may be reduced or suspended entirely. Notice of any such changes shall be provided to the [Customer] at least [X] days in advance.
Business hours clause with response time tied to business hours
This version links response times to working hours only.
Any response times or service level commitments shall apply only during business hours. Time periods that fall outside business hours shall be excluded from response and resolution time calculations.
Business hours clause with right to adjust hours
This version gives flexibility to revise working hours.
The [Provider] reserves the right to adjust its standard business hours with [X] days’ written notice to the [Customer], provided that such changes do not materially affect service delivery.
Business hours clause with emergency services outside hours
This version clarifies limited after-hours availability.
Outside of business hours, the [Provider] shall only respond to critical issues classified as emergencies. All other inquiries will be addressed during the next business day.
Business hours clause with seasonal hours adjustment
This version allows for seasonal scheduling changes.
The [Provider] may operate under adjusted business hours during peak or low seasons, such as summer or year-end periods. Such changes shall be communicated in advance.
Business hours clause with defined working days
This version formally states the working days.
For the purposes of this Agreement, business hours shall apply on working days only, defined as Monday through Friday, excluding federal and state-recognized public holidays.
Business hours clause with project-specific operating hours
This version defines hours specific to a project or service line.
The [Provider] shall perform the services under this Agreement during project-specific business hours, defined as [7:00 AM to 3:00 PM], Monday through Friday, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Business hours clause with support team shift coverage
This version divides business hours into rotating shifts.
The [Provider] shall maintain business hours coverage through rotating support shifts, ensuring continuous availability between [8:00 AM to 8:00 PM], Monday through Friday.
Business hours clause with grace period for responses
This version builds in a buffer around working hours.
Communications received within one hour before the end of business hours may be responded to on the next business day without breaching response time obligations.
Business hours clause with mutually agreed schedule flexibility
This version permits agreed schedule changes.
The parties may mutually agree to adjust business hours on a temporary or permanent basis through written notice, without requiring formal amendment to this Agreement.
Business hours clause with specific department availability
This version separates business hours by function.
The [Customer Service] team shall be available from [8:00 AM to 6:00 PM], while the [Billing Support] team shall operate from [9:00 AM to 3:00 PM], Monday through Friday.
Business hours clause with public-facing vs. internal hours
This version distinguishes between client and internal hours.
Public-facing business hours shall be [9:00 AM to 5:00 PM], while internal operational hours for staff coordination shall run from [8:00 AM to 6:00 PM].
Business hours clause with minimum availability requirement
This version sets a floor for availability.
The [Provider] agrees to maintain a minimum of [40 hours] per week of business hours availability throughout the term of this Agreement.
Business hours clause with dual-party availability definition
This version applies business hours jointly.
For the purpose of coordination, business hours shall be defined as the overlapping period of [9:00 AM to 1:00 PM] between the [Provider] and [Customer] time zones.
Business hours clause with reduced Friday hours
This version defines early closures.
Business hours shall be [9:00 AM to 5:00 PM], Monday through Thursday, and [9:00 AM to 2:00 PM] on Fridays.
Business hours clause with adjustment for religious observances
This version accounts for religious closures.
The [Provider] reserves the right to adjust business hours during religious observance periods and shall provide [7 days’] notice to the [Customer].
Business hours clause with weekend coverage add-on
This version includes optional weekend services.
Business hours may be extended to include weekends at the [Customer]’s request, subject to additional service fees and resource availability.
Business hours clause with off-peak service commitments
This version covers after-hours availability by arrangement.
The [Provider] shall accommodate off-peak support requests outside business hours on a case-by-case basis, with priority based on urgency and prior scheduling.
Business hours clause with different hours for remote teams
This version accounts for distributed teams.
Business hours may vary by team location, and each support or delivery team shall operate according to the working hours applicable to their jurisdiction.
Business hours clause with explicit closure days
This version lists non-working days.
The [Provider] shall be closed on all federal holidays and [Company Designated Days], during which no business services will be provided.
Business hours clause with defined response cut-off time
This version clarifies end-of-day communications.
Inquiries received after [4:00 PM] local time will be considered received on the next business day for the purposes of response or resolution timelines.
Business hours clause with flexible working hour allowance
This version reflects hybrid/flexible work setups.
While core business hours are defined as [9:00 AM to 5:00 PM], the [Provider] may allow flexible working arrangements without impacting service availability.
Business hours clause with time tracking obligation
This version ties business hours to tracked time.
The [Provider] shall maintain accurate time logs of services provided during business hours and share records with the [Customer] upon request.
Business hours clause with business continuity fallback
This version covers unexpected interruptions.
If business hours are disrupted due to an unexpected event, the [Provider] shall activate a business continuity plan to restore operations as quickly as possible.
Business hours clause with calendar-based scheduling
This version links hours to a shared calendar.
The [Provider] shall maintain a shared business calendar reflecting active business hours, closure periods, and changes, accessible to the [Customer] at all times.
Business hours clause with client-specific priority window
This version prioritizes certain clients within defined hours.
The [Provider] shall prioritize support for the [Customer] between [10:00 AM to 12:00 PM] each business day to ensure higher responsiveness.
Business hours clause with advance notice for changes
This version requires notice before any changes.
The [Provider] shall give at least [10 business days’] notice prior to making any adjustments to standard business hours.
Business hours clause with hourly billing tied to business hours
This version defines when billable hours apply.
Time spent by the [Provider] during standard business hours shall be billed at standard rates, while time outside of business hours shall be billed at [150%] of the standard rate.
Business hours clause with explicit exclusion of weekends
This version formally excludes weekends from obligations.
For clarity, no business services or response obligations shall apply on Saturdays or Sundays unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Business hours clause with contingency-based extension
This version allows extended hours during critical projects.
The [Provider] may extend business hours temporarily during critical project phases, at no additional cost, where delays would materially impact deliverables.
Business hours clause with downtime notification protocol
This version ties communication to business hours.
All planned service interruptions shall be communicated to the [Customer] during business hours, with at least [X] hours' notice.
Business hours clause with real-time collaboration window
This version defines collaboration slots.
The parties shall designate a [2-hour] real-time collaboration window during business hours to coordinate key deliverables and approvals.
Business hours clause with time conversion clarification
This version ensures clarity in international agreements.
Where applicable, business hours shall include a clear reference to time zone equivalents in [UTC], and all deadlines shall reflect those equivalents.
Business hours clause with exception for critical tasks
This version carves out exceptions.
The [Provider] may perform certain critical services outside standard business hours if required to meet key deliverables or compliance obligations.
Business hours clause with part-time engagement definition
This version applies to part-time service providers.
The [Provider] shall be available for services up to [20 hours per week], with business hours distributed between [X days], as agreed in advance.
Business hours clause with service handoff protocol
This version enables transfer across time zones.
The [Provider] shall implement a handoff protocol to transfer service ownership at the close of business hours to another regional team, if required.
Business hours clause with required availability window
This version mandates overlapping hours.
The [Customer] shall ensure internal availability for collaboration with the [Provider] between [2:00 PM to 4:00 PM] local time each business day.
Business hours clause with weekend email-only availability
This version limits weekend interaction to one channel.
The [Provider] shall be available for support via email only on weekends, with responses provided by [12:00 PM] the following business day.
Business hours clause with shift overlap requirement
This version ensures continuity during shift changes.
A minimum [30-minute] overlap between support shifts shall be maintained to ensure continuity of business hours service coverage.
Business hours clause with region-specific public holiday exceptions
This version accounts for different holiday calendars.
Business hours shall exclude public holidays observed in the [Provider]’s region. Where regional holidays differ, the parties shall agree on service coverage in advance.
Business hours clause with offsite coverage plan
This version ensures support during offsite events.
During offsite meetings or company events, the [Provider] shall maintain backup business hours coverage through alternate team members or remote agents.
Business hours clause with asynchronous support option
This version adapts for async workflows.
Where real-time response is not required, the [Provider] may deliver support on an asynchronous basis within standard business hours, with updates shared via ticketing system.
Business hours clause with SLA-linked calendar view
This version links SLAs to a calendar tool.
All business hours and service level timelines shall be aligned to a shared calendar available to both parties, with holidays and exceptions marked in advance.
Business hours clause with temporary suspension right
This version allows brief unavailability.
The [Provider] may temporarily suspend business hours availability for internal training or technical upgrades, with prior notice of at least [3 business days].
Business hours clause with country-specific variation clause
This version varies terms by geography.
Where the Agreement applies in multiple countries, business hours shall be defined according to the standard business hours in each local jurisdiction.
Business hours clause with statutory compliance alignment
This version ensures hours respect labor laws.
The [Provider] shall define business hours in accordance with applicable labor laws and employee working time directives in the jurisdiction of service delivery.
Business hours clause with proactive service window extension
This version allows early or extended availability.
The [Provider] may extend business hours temporarily during peak load periods to ensure timely delivery of services.
Business hours clause with formal holiday calendar annex
This version includes a defined holiday list.
A list of recognized non-working days shall be included in [Annex X] and treated as non-business days for the purposes of this Agreement.
Business hours clause with priority routing during working hours
This version ensures peak-hour responsiveness.
Support inquiries received during business hours shall be prioritized for routing and resolution under the [Provider]’s support triage system.
Business hours clause with cross-functional availability notice
This version ties business hours to internal dependencies.
The [Provider] shall notify the [Customer] of any anticipated changes in cross-functional team availability that may affect service during business hours.
Business hours clause with staff availability threshold
This version sets a staffing minimum.
The [Provider] shall ensure at least [X]% of core delivery staff are available during business hours to meet performance and SLA commitments.
Business hours clause with post-delivery follow-up period
This version clarifies hours for post-service care.
After final delivery, the [Provider] shall remain available during business hours for a follow-up period of [14 days] to address any residual support needs.
This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Cobrief is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.