You are not entitled to JSA if you are in ‘remunerative work’. This is work of 16 hours or more a week for which payment is made or which is done in expectation of payment. But there are exceptions (see below ).

Lunch breaks, if you are paid for them, count towards the 16 hours.

Some people may be treated as being in full-time work, eg if they are off work because of a holiday. But if you are off work because you are ill or on maternity leave, you are not treated as being in remunerative work, even if you are getting sick pay or maternity pay from your employer. You are also not treated as being in remunerative work if you are off work because you are on paternity, neonatal care, shared parental, parental bereavement or adoption leave.

If you stop work because of a trade dispute at your workplace, you cannot claim JSA.
JSA, S.14 ; JSA Regs , regs 42 & 43

Fluctuating hours – If your hours fluctuate from week to week, an average is worked out. If you have