23It is thus clear from the provisions cited in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the present judgment that the average weekly working time may be calculated not over seven-day periods but over periods known as ‘reference’ periods of up to four months under the standard regime and of up to six months under the derogating regime. The calculation of the average weekly working time over such reference periods seeks, in accordance with recital 15 of Directive 2003/88, to provide for flexibility in the application of Article 6(b) of that directive, so that, should the maximum weekly working time be exceeded at certain times of the reference period, a corresponding reduction in working time may offset that excess at other times of the period. Therefore, an equal division of the number of working hours is not required over the entire duration of the reference period (judgment of 9 November 2017, Maio Marques da Rosa, C‑306/16, EU:C:2017:844, paragraph 43).
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