How many work weeks are in a year?

There are 52 recognized work weeks in a year. This is based on a regular calendar year in the United States where employees work a 40-hour work week.

A biweekly employee has 26 pay dates within the calendar year. If he works 40 hours per week, this is 2,087 hours out of the year. When several years are taken into consideration, some years may have 27 pay dates within them. Work weeks, hours and calculations were mandated by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, which remains the standard. This 52-week work year is based on 364 calendar days, which can also be 365 or 366.