Dept Store Working Hours With No Break

MrC_Beds

Anihilator wrote: »

This thread proves everything that is wrong with this country.

No, it proves that an unmoderated forum attracts trolls.

terra_ferma

cassie55 wrote: »

I've just started at M&S working nights for 4 hours. We don't get a break and I find it really hard to go without water. I am used to drinking frequently and we're not allowed to take a bottle of water on the floor with us.

This is really out of order!
Yes I would ask for water, they can't really deny you the right to drink for 4 hours!
If you have a sympathetic GP they could write a note/letter saying that you need to drink regularly!

Here's more info about providing water, from the HSE:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/water.htm

It does not mention breaks specifically but only that water has to be 'be readily accessible at suitable places'. If you can't have water on the floor, and can't go and drink either then it sounds to me like it's not readily accessible at all (I'm not an expert here, it's my interpretation but someone else may have more information)

timmmers

Anihilator wrote: »

This thread proves everything that is wrong with this country.

Yes it does, you would be in trouble for leaving a dog with no access to water for 4 hours.

t

cassie55

terra_ferma wrote: »

This is really out of order!
Yes I would ask for water, they can't really deny you the right to drink for 4 hours!
If you have a sympathetic GP they could write a note/letter saying that you need to drink regularly!

Here's more info about providing water, from the HSE:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/water.htm

It does not mention breaks specifically but only that water has to be 'be readily accessible at suitable places'. If you can't have water on the floor, and can't go and drink either then it sounds to me like it's not readily accessible at all (I'm not an expert here, it's my interpretation but someone else may have more information)

If I want to get water I have to take a 15 minute break and work an exra 15 minutes at the end of my shift.

This is only a temp job til xmas (I was made redundant earlier in the year) and it's an eye opener how employees are treated in retail.

ceridwen

cassie55 wrote: »

and it's an eye opener how employees are treated in retail.

It certainly is...and to think the only reason I was feeling sorry for them was because they are expected to stand up for hours on end - I now know that they may be gasping for a drink or to go to the loo even.

I was wondering anyway how they manage about having some of their meals - as some of the shifts I understand they work go over the times that people have their meals.

robpw2

yet smokers can have smoking breaks and not get penalised

ckerrd

ceridwen wrote: »

It certainly is...and to think the only reason I was feeling sorry for them was because they are expected to stand up for hours on end - I now know that they may be gasping for a drink or to go to the loo even.

I was wondering anyway how they manage about having some of their meals - as some of the shifts I understand they work go over the times that people have their meals.

They just have to have meals at other times.

I used to do one shift that was 1100 - 1700.
Always tried to have a very late breakfast for that one.

Fluffi

ceridwen wrote: »

It certainly is...and to think the only reason I was feeling sorry for them was because they are expected to stand up for hours on end - I now know that they may be gasping for a drink or to go to the loo even.

I was wondering anyway how they manage about having some of their meals - as some of the shifts I understand they work go over the times that people have their meals.

I don't think working over normal meal times is a big deal to be honest, even in an office if you are in back to back meetings all day it can easily be 3 or nearly 4pm by the time you eat lunch which isn't much fun if you have breakfast at 7.30am but you survive! At least if you know you are working over a meal time in retail you can plan for it by having other meals earlier/later or having a snack before your shift starts.

It sounds like in most cases people can get water, just not drink it on the shop floor because its unprofessional (and causes hassle if it spills) ... but people do have to take an unpaid break in order to do so. That doesn't seem unreasonable. The people that can get though 4hrs without needing a break can go home earlier which is fair so in that respect the store is being quite flexible by not imposing breaks on people that don't need them.

I never used to be able to drink water on the shop floor either, I was allowed my lunch when it wasn't busy and if that was late in the afternoon because it was Christmas etc then that was just tough. I certainly didn't demand a break at exactly 6hrs into my day!

ckerrd

Fluffi wrote: »

I don't think working over normal meal times is a big deal to be honest, even in an office if you are in back to back meetings all day it can easily be 3 or nearly 4pm by the time you eat lunch which isn't much fun if you have breakfast at 7.30am but you survive! At least if you know you are working over a meal time in retail you can plan for it by having other meals earlier/later or having a snack before your shift starts.

It sounds like in most cases people can get water, just not drink it on the shop floor because its unprofessional (and causes hassle if it spills) ... but people do have to take an unpaid break in order to do so. That doesn't seem unreasonable. The people that can get though 4hrs without needing a break can go home earlier which is fair so in that respect the store is being quite flexible by not imposing breaks on people that don't need them.

I never used to be able to drink water on the shop floor either, I was allowed my lunch when it wasn't busy and if that was late in the afternoon because it was Christmas etc then that was just tough. I certainly didn't demand a break at exactly 6hrs into my day!

As this is now a legal requirement it is what employers should be planning for.

cazziebo

I do have some sympathy for the OP. My first "real" job was in a department store, and despite having worked previously as a waitress and in a bar, I was completely unprepared for how physically draining it was. It probably took a good two to three weeks for me to get used to being constantly on my feet. Department stores are a bit different to other types of customer facing work- you're not always busy with customers so although you might be cleaning, organising stock, unpacking deliveries , the time can drag.

It is blooming hard work. However, it's great training for so many other roles.If someone can work in retail then they can just about take the demands of most other jobs. The insight into customer behaviour, communication skills, quality, profitability etc is better than anything you get in a business degree.

Unfortunately, as a Christmas temp, you have been brought in to fulfill a need which is to provide cost effective cover at the time it's most needed. In brutal terms, you are a resource to be used.

Turn this round to your own advantage. It is only for a short time. Learn as much as you can, and mentally note any examples of how this job has helped develop you as a person; When it comes to an end you will have some valuable experiences to relate to a future employer which will help you get a better next job.