Work related expectations/legalities regarding lunch breaks
Discussion
This could be a bit of a trudge so apologies.
The background is I've worked for a company for around 15 years. 3 years ago we moved to "mobile working". We have always worked from our vans for the most part, although we had a yard with stores, offices, but more importantly lockers, toilets, wash areas, places to dry clothes, a kettle, microwave and basic facilities like this. We could also leave the van there during holidays etc.
Since the change to mobile working we don't have a yard at all. We have mobile devices we can speak to the office which is now elsewhere via email etc. It's much more efficient granted.
My concerns is that we are basically expected to eat our lunches in our vans. Yet have nowhere to freshen up or wash hands. We are told that we can use leisure centres during our breaks. However we only get 30 minutes for lunch and no other breaks. We are often 15-20 minutes from a council leisure centre. We can be at least ten minutes from a shop, yet we have to log off from a job for lunch then take our 30 mins. So management know if we go over. We have also been told that we shouldn't leave the area we are working for lunch. Which could leave us with no access to a toilet all day. We work in residential properties mainly, repairs/maintenance, plumbing/carpentry. There's around 120 tradesmen employed on this basis.
Does anything I've put down seem unfair to anyone? I'm worried we are missing certain aspects of our rights but could be wrong and I've read contradictory things online.
Worth mentioning perhaps that one of the guys is facing disciplinary for peeing in a bucket in the back of the van.
The background is I've worked for a company for around 15 years. 3 years ago we moved to "mobile working". We have always worked from our vans for the most part, although we had a yard with stores, offices, but more importantly lockers, toilets, wash areas, places to dry clothes, a kettle, microwave and basic facilities like this. We could also leave the van there during holidays etc.
Since the change to mobile working we don't have a yard at all. We have mobile devices we can speak to the office which is now elsewhere via email etc. It's much more efficient granted.
My concerns is that we are basically expected to eat our lunches in our vans. Yet have nowhere to freshen up or wash hands. We are told that we can use leisure centres during our breaks. However we only get 30 minutes for lunch and no other breaks. We are often 15-20 minutes from a council leisure centre. We can be at least ten minutes from a shop, yet we have to log off from a job for lunch then take our 30 mins. So management know if we go over. We have also been told that we shouldn't leave the area we are working for lunch. Which could leave us with no access to a toilet all day. We work in residential properties mainly, repairs/maintenance, plumbing/carpentry. There's around 120 tradesmen employed on this basis.
Does anything I've put down seem unfair to anyone? I'm worried we are missing certain aspects of our rights but could be wrong and I've read contradictory things online.
Worth mentioning perhaps that one of the guys is facing disciplinary for peeing in a bucket in the back of the van.
Lopey said:
If you're working in residents properties, why can't you use their facilities? Thousands of tradesmen all over the country manage.
If you're talking about self employed tradesmen they're also able to give themselves time to go grab a sandwich, eat it and find somewhere to clean up. I'm just wondering if the 30 mins is considered enough time. Keen to hear what other employed workers get in similar situations. British Gas, etc etc
Sorry, not trying to make out that it's hard. It's not a hard job by any stretch of the imagination. I'm trying to decipher what my rights are for breaks, toilet stops. We're not aloud to call in Tesco, mac Donald's unless on the area we're working and within our 30 minute breaks. Someone mentioned being a big boy and holding a pee in all day. That's fab, I can't unfortunately.
Skyrat said:
You're entitled to a 30 min break for lunch. How you use it is up to you. It doesn't seem to be a great situation for you, but I've worked in places where you either had to bring lunch or nip to the shop for a quick bite. I don't think your employer is doing anything wrong IMHO.
Thanks. Yes I've started taking my own lunch as it makes things much easier and more relaxing break.
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