statutory work breaks?

mrbrown

We've just had a meeting with our boss and he said that he's going to stop paying us for our lunch hours! Is this legal!? We dont smoke and dont take any breaks, our lunch is the only time we spend away from the computer. If our boss can stop paying us for lunch, then what are our statutory rights on breaks? Are we legally allowed 15 minutes off in the morning and in the afternoon? I think if hes allowed to stop paying us for our lunch hour (which is normally only 30 minutes or so anyway!) then its a massive dent in moral and Im certainly going to take advantage of any breaks that I have a legal right to!

SomeBozo

Hi

We've just had a meeting with our boss and he said that he's going to stop paying us for our lunch hours! Is this legal!?

Quite legal. Its quite rare these days to be paid for breaks (lunch or otherwise).

Are we legally allowed 15 minutes off in the morning and in the afternoon?

No.

Assuming your not in the transport industry you are entitled to a 20 minute (unpaid) break every 6 hours.


Bozo

Scaredy_Cat_3

As Somebozo said, lots of people don't get paid for their lunch-break these days. Salaries are calculated on a 7 hour day (for example) even though you are actually there for 8 hours including the lunch hour.

The only thing that might be worth looking at is what your contract says. There is some rule that I can't remember at the moment, that says if you have been working in a certain way (ie getting paid for your lunch break) then even if it's not explicitly stated in your contract, it becomes part of the contract.

However, I wouldn't hold out much hope. Where I used to work, we had always been paid for bank holidays, and then they suddenly decided to change it so people like me who worked part time would actually end up owing the company time because we had not been at work on a bank holiday (when the office was closed anyway!). I argued it, but got absolutely nowhere.

Jessiepig

The above post is correct. Very few companies will pay you for any breaks, lunch or otherwise.
I use a computer and work from 8.45 to 4.45 with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break.
You have no case to argue I am afraid.

mrbrown

God, I did not know this. Looks like Ill be taking up smoking.

mymatebob

SomeBozo wrote: »

Hi



Quite legal. Its quite rare these days to be paid for breaks (lunch or otherwise).



No.

Assuming your not in the transport industry you are entitled to a 20 minute (unpaid) break every 6 hours.



Bozo

Just to clarify the 20 minute break bit, you are entitled to a period of not less than 20 minutes away from your workplace after 6 hours.

I have known companies to work people for a 6 hour shift and then send them home.
There is no entitlement, under the working time regulations, to have any sort of break within that 6 hours.

SomeBozo

Looks like Ill be taking up smoking.

You have no legal or statuary right to a "smoking break" either.

Bozo

Imani

I always thought that if you worked with computers all day you had to be given rest breaks so you have time away from the screen
i do 6hr days and have two 15 minute breaks. those who do 8hrs have 30 minutes lunch unpaid and two 15 minute breaks, those who do 10 hour shifts are given an extra 30minutes free

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451
this link may help your queries

geordie_joe

SomeBozo wrote: »

You have no legal or statuary right to a "smoking break" either.

Bozo

No, but many firms turn a blind eye to smoke breaks, as long as you keep them to a minimum.

Scaredy_Cat_3

geordie_joe wrote: »

No, but many firms turn a blind eye to smoke breaks, as long as you keep them to a minimum.

I'm probably not politically correct in saying this but it really used to wind me up that smokers got a break that the rest of us didn't! I worked in one place where people would sign in to work and then go straight into the smoking room!

I always felt if they were going to get a smoking break then I should get a tea break.

98jdougl

I used to tell people I was going to smoke
In my place if the manager gets a smoking break then get to onip out as well if Ii have something to do etc

Editted to add:
I have never worked anywhere that has paid for breaks