Is this legal ?

doodlesmum

Hi,

I am looking for some advice if possible my sister works for a large supermarket chain who i wont name and yesterday was told they are no longer aloud to keep a bottle of water with them while they work she works in the kiosk bit they have been previously aloud.
To me i think this surely cant be right in the heat we are having they are now not aloud a drink till they are due their break which can be up to six hours a girl who works with my sister wanted to take over for couple of mins to allow my sister to go have quick swig water as she was feeling lightheaded cause heat was told no she can wait her break :mad:
Can they do this surely in the heat we are having it is an employers duty to make sure their staff dont suffer my sister came home from with banging headache which to me shows lack of fluids.

My sister not one to make a fuss me i am different i would be looking into this hence my question my employers are the total opposite always telling us to be careful and drink plently.

Thanks any answers would be really appreciated

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Yes its legal.

liney

Well, technically under the Working Time Regulations she isn't entitled to additional breaks, however it may be a breech of health and safety to prevent staff from staying hydrated during this extreme heat - look here: http://www.gmb-westmids.org.uk/id33.html under minimum/maximum temperatures for working. Not allowing access to drinking water is not "all reasonable steps".

I would report this in writing as a Health and Safety issue, and next time she needs a drink due to the heat she should ask to see the First Aider.

bikerqueen

no air con?

frugallass

Health and Safety Executive

There's a section about thermal comfort and a bit about having access to cold drinks....

fengirl_2

Staff should at least be allowed to leave the shop floor at regular intervals to have a drink under H&S - as others have said, they have a duty of care to employees. I can see that standing at a till, swigging on a bottle might not be the image the supermarket wants to project.

Louise22

Thats terrible! When I worked in the cafe of a large supermarket we were not allowed water or even a fan, and you can imagine what the heat was like in the summer working next to all of those hot cookers - it was awful!

Regardless of whether or not it is legal, it is a sh*t way to treat staff, especially in this weather.

Bogof_Babe

Is she not allowed to go to the loo either during her six hour shift? I'm sure that wouldn't be legal. If she is, then while taking a loo break surely she could have a quick drink.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

Yes its legal.

if its dangerous its not.

frugallass

fengirl wrote: »

I can see that standing at a till, swigging on a bottle might not be the image the supermarket wants to project.

What kind of image would that be then?

As a shopper I would rather see a checkout operator looking / feeling refreshed and able to work efficiently because they DO have access to a drink of water.

Louise22

I wouldn't turn my back and do my shopping somewhere else if I saw someone having a drink of water. Some of you guys must never have worked in that sort of environment - you are talking to customers all day so your throat gets dry and sore, the heat can be unbearable, and all you want is a sip of water. In no way is that promoting a bad image.