work breaks during the day

[optimax sniffer]

I have just been working for a company that operate shifts, fortunately I'm now somewhere else

2 days on, 2off, 3on, 30ff etc. works out that you work 7 days out of 14.

The shifts are 6am to 6pm, but you only get 3, 15 minutes throughout the day. One at 9am, one at midday, one at 3pm

Do the minimal breaks, meet the required minimum by law?

[oldbanger]

Yes - you need 20 mins (total) minimum per 6 hours worked. You get more than this.

[Soft Top]

oldbanger said:

Yes - you need 20 mins (total) minimum per 6 hours worked. You get more than this.

I believe it is 20 minutes uninterrupted, (preferably away for your desk). That's what we were told to put in the handbook

[Agrilla]

I'd thought it was 20 minutes uninterrupted too - although my company insists on 30 minutes uninterrupted (which is a pain when I'd rather have two fifteen minute breaks than one longer one if I'm only working 6 hours).

[missdiane]

You get a break?

[K87]

I heard it was 15 minutes for every 4 hours worked, which works out to exactly what you get.

[Vron]

Unless you smoke then you can go out for a fag break whenever you like

[Mojooo]

If its any sort of hard physical work that that is very very harsh IME.

We also have to take 30 mins a day but can take more.

[siscar]

optimax sniffer said:

I have just been working for a company that operate shifts, fortunately I'm now somewhere else

2 days on, 2off, 3on, 30ff etc. works out that you work 7 days out of 14.

The shifts are 6am to 6pm, but you only get 3, 15 minutes throughout the day. One at 9am, one at midday, one at 3pm

Do the minimal breaks, meet the required minimum by law?

No they don't. You should get 20 minutes uninterrupted break for every 6 hours. So your total of 45 minutes is more than required but the period of 15 minutes each is too short.

[T5R+]

siscar said:

No they don't. You should get 20 minutes uninterrupted break for every 6 hours. So your total of 45 minutes is more than required but the period of 15 minutes each is too short.

So (devil's advocate) if employer only offered 1x 20minute after 6hours into shift would it be legal?

[escargot]

T5R+ said:

siscar said:

No they don't. You should get 20 minutes uninterrupted break for every 6 hours. So your total of 45 minutes is more than required but the period of 15 minutes each is too short.

So (devil's advocate) if employer only offered 1x 20minute after 6hours into shift would it be legal?

No, but it may be if they offered 1 x 20 minute break after 5 hours 40 mins into the shift.


IANAL though.

[Gazzas86]

start work at 8, i get 35 mins break at 10 am then lunch from 11.30 - 1.30 then another break at 2.30 for 30 mins then finish at 4
simples

[Gazzas86]

start work at 8, i get 35 mins break at 10 am then lunch from 11.30 - 1.30 then another break at 2.30 for 30 mins then finish at 4
simples

[condor]

I suppose it might depend on whether you get paid breaks or whether they're unpaid. When I worked for Unwins/Threshers we didn't have official breaks, we were told we could have them unpaid, but then the closing time would just be later, as the time lost would just be added on...so in effect, we didn't bother about having official breaks but were able to make coffees etc. when there were quiet periods, and still get paid
Are you able to have a coffee/sandwich at your desk/place of work during proper work hours, or do you have to have them within the unpaid break time?

[randomman]

escargot said:

T5R+ said:

siscar said:

No they don't. You should get 20 minutes uninterrupted break for every 6 hours. So your total of 45 minutes is more than required but the period of 15 minutes each is too short.

So (devil's advocate) if employer only offered 1x 20minute after 6hours into shift would it be legal?

No, but it may be if they offered 1 x 20 minute break after 5 hours 40 mins into the shift.


IANAL though.

That's just going home 20 mins early on a 6 hour day...

Would be better for the company to give you a 5hr 55min day - no break at all required by law!

[Number55]

It's up to the employer to offer more than the minimum requirement, and this tends to be unpaid.

When I did 12 hour shifts I got 1 x 15min paid break in the morning, 1 x 60min unpaid at lunchtime and then 1 x 30min paid break in the afternoon. That adds up to your 3 x 15 min breaks with an unpaid hour thrown in.

Official line is here:
http://www.workplacesafetyadvice.co.uk/how-many-br...