When did the law change regarding work breaks ?

cally6008

The company I work for is bringing in unpaid breaks.

I have been told today that, according to the company, staff are not allowed to have a 15min break unless they are working more than 6 hours.

I've always been led to believe that it is that you are entitled to a 10/15 min break for every 4 hours worked.

Comments please and also any links to where information about breaks and the law may be found

Always_Harassed

It's been 6 hours for about 7 years. As far as I know it was 5 hours for many years before that. Many employers give breaks but they don't have to. ACAS website is very good and might have info if not try some of the unions.

ohreally

20 minute rest if you work more than 6 hrs (30 min if under 18). This came into force 3Q 1998 due to EWTD.

ohreally

cally6008 wrote: »

The company I work for is bringing in unpaid breaks.

If this is a change to customary working practise then raise the issue with your trade union.

SomeBozo

It came in 1998 as part of the Working Time regulations.

Bozo

Sharon87

Really? I thought if you worked more than 4 hours you got a break. Who could work for say 5.5 hours without a break?

wendyphant

Our problem with that was 12.5 hour shifts.

You are entitled to 20mins after 6 hours of work so our bosses argue
work 6 hours take 20 mins = 6hrs 20 mins into shift
work next 6 hous but you are then going home so no second 20 mins

They only let us have 20 mins in 12.5 hours!!!

we don't moan too much because if we do they'll take the 12.5 hour shifts off us and return us to 7.5 hours which will mean working 5 days a week instead of 3x12.5 hour shifts

SomeBozo

Sharon87 wrote: »

Really? I thought if you worked more than 4 hours you got a break. Who could work for say 5.5 hours without a break?

Lots of employers implemented 6 hour shifts (packhouse, factory jobs) just for this very reason.

Bozo

Poppy9

I work public sector and I've never had a paid lunch hour. I thought this was the norm not to be paid during your break.

tanith

Poppy9 wrote: »

I work public sector and I've never had a paid lunch hour. I thought this was the norm not to be paid during your break.

Not in the 'olden days' it wasn't..

DCFC79

Poppy9 wrote: »

I work public sector and I've never had a paid lunch hour. I thought this was the norm not to be paid during your break.

the only break we get paid for is the morning and afternoon break of 15 mins each