Having to spend your break on the premises.

pimento

My 17 year old son works part-time for the local ethical supermarket in our village. We live very close to the shop so when he does an eight hour shift, he has time to come home to eat on his half hour break.

Today he was told that there was a new rule that mean that he has to stay on the premises during his break and is not allowed to come home. When he asked why, he was told it was a security measure related to 'loss prevention'.

Is this right? He's not being paid for the break and I think they can't stop him leaving the shop and doing whatever he wants on his break. Aren't his breaks his own to do what he wants with?

Snakeeyes21

No its not right. He can fly to the moon and back when he has a break if he wishes. If this supermarket wants to do their loss prevention exercise they will need to hire a security guard to search people when they come and go

pimento

I thought it didn't sound right. He didn't make a fuss because he only works a few hours a week and usually only four hours at a time and doesn't want to lose the job by being thought a troublemaker, but it's a bit off, isn't it?

Louise22

I would be tempted to tell them to shove it, but obviously that's maybe not in their nature. I would ask to see the contract and ask where it states that you are not allowed to leave the premises.

hayley11

Cheeky beggars! He's not in prison!

I'd tell them to get lost personally but I understand if he doesn't want to rock the boat.

Has he spoken to other employees to see how they feel about it? If more than one person said something, they would have to listen?

Also maybe ring ACAS and ask them what the law is around this, just so you know exactly where he stands.

LeeSouthEast

If they are not paying him for his break, then he can go where he pleases.

LittleVoice

He has a statutory right to a the break from work when he has these longer shifts. If they tried to dismiss him for not following the new "rule", he would have a case for unfair dismissal. It wouldn't matter that he had not been employed for a year (if that is the case) because dismissal on the grounds of exercising a statutory right is covered from day one of employment.

BTW - where are their ethics in not trusting their staff.

foxy-roxy

yep when i worked somewhere where we got paid for breaks we were not allowed to leave the premises incase we got called back incase of busy spells - fair enough - but if you are NOT getting paid breaks, then you can go where you want, obv providing your back on time.

Norma_Desmond

It's strange how some of these 'ethical' places are often the very worst twits to work for - I speak from experience. :rolleyes:
Of course the lad can go home for his breaks!

Desperate_Housewife_2-2

Is he entitled to a break if he is only working 4 hours at a time? Otherwise he should be entitled to take his break where he likes. I am expected to stay on the premises for my breaks but the management pay us and we end up getting very long breaks anyway.

dacouch

Tell them they are not being very co operative