Am I entitled to a break at work, 4.5 hr and 7hr shifts?

michellen34

Hi Everyone,

I'm just looking for some advice please?
If I work two 4.5 hours and one 7 hour shift (not all at once) am I entitled to a break? My employer says not as i am getting paid for the full 4.5 or full 7hours shifts. She also said she does not want us leaving the premises as we might smoke, and they operate a strict no smoking policy. She does not agree with smoking at all, but surely it is my right to smoke if i want?? as long as I'm not near the premises, and regardless of that I would like to be able to get some fresh air or a bottle of water etc, the place I work and job I do can be very hot and stuffy (work in a charity shop,and part of the job is steaming clothes etc) I just wanted to ask where I stood regarding the breaks etc, she did say I can grab a quick lunch if i bring something with me.

Thanks in advance

prowla

I have the opposite problem - where I work they insist I don't get paid for half an hour in a day! (Actually, they tried saying it was a whole hour.)

michellen34

Lol I wish, I can grab a quick sandwich, so what is the difference if i want to sit outside? It is so hot and stuffy in there

cattie

This may help you. http://www.midbeds.gov.uk/FAQs/Environment/Food_Safety/workbreak.aspx

I know in all my working life lunch breaks were never included in my weekly hours of work, so not paid for by employer, though we did have daily tea & coffee breaks that were part of our working week.

michellen34

Thanks cattie, off to look now,

wishface

What if you suffer something like hypoglycaemia where you need to manage your food intake beyond 20 mins per 6 hours?

michellen34

I know wishface, I am Diabetic, and have told them I could need something later in the afternoon, but the way I'm picking it up, unless I take it with me I can't even pop out for something if I needed it

wishface

Comes to something when we live in a society where employers are so scared of what Wal Mart calls 'time theft' that employees can't just stop to refuel naturally. Unfortunately the human body wasn't built with the modern working world clock time system in mind. As someone who suffers a condition like hypyglyceamia I would struggle in such an environment (which is partly why i'm not working right now). What can folk do; make themselves ill?

annie_d

Take food to work with them for when they need it?

michellen34

Hi Annie,

I do take a sandwich and water, but there isn't a fridge and your lunch is kept in the 'hot room' where the steamer is etc so it's warm by the time you get it , yuk

michellen34

Too true, wishface, Its not a nice feeling either, I tend to get the shakes, and get hotter, and generally just don't feel 'right'