Law regarding breaks?

davidjwest

Hello, I could use some help please.

I work in front of a computer screen pretty much 100% of the working day, usually 7 hours a day sometimes longer.

I've been told that I am taking too many breaks away from the terminal, I've timed my breaks and it amounts to around 20 minutes a day away, including toilet breaks (not including lunch, which is half an hour unpaid).

The company policy is to allow a 10 minute break away from the computer every 2 hours.

Is there a law about this? I've done some searching and found "guidance" but nothing that seems to be legally binding.

Thanks for any help.

Googlewhacker

I don't see the problem , if you are only having 20 minutes over a day?

Being away from the computer doesn't neccersarily mean not working, it means you just are not working on the computer so do you goto a printer etc?

davidjwest

Not really - some days we have meetings away from the computer but my job is usually 100% sat in front of the screen.

I tend to take 2 or 3 "natural breaks" of around 5 minutes each and another one or two breaks where I go for a walk around the building taking maybe 5 minutes each. The most time away from my desk since I started recording it has been 26 minutes which I don't think excessive for a 7.5 hour working day.

I found this that I might print out and take along to my next monthly "development meeting"

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/resources/health_and_safety/hazardsatoz/display-screen-equipment-vdus.cfm

McKneff

I can understand why they are a bit peeved. Youre not being paid to go for a walk just when you feel like it,
'its only for 5 minutes break' is no excuse' You allowed a break away from the screen but it means you should be employed doing something elst.

26m say half an hour per day is 2.5 hours a week, 10 hours a month. Say 10 people in your works did this, thats 100 unproductive hours a month. Companies cant afford to do that.

I cant believe that you think they are in the wrong.

Hammyman

So you don't think spending 8% of your day (breaks excluded) "swanning round the building" not doing your job isn't excessive? If you were paying someone to do building work for you and they spent 1/2hr in the day laid on the grass doing nothing would you be happy doing it?

There are no set in stone figures, only guidelines. As has been mentioned, it is a break from looking at the screen, not from work.

As McKneff has said, that amounts to ONE AND A THIRD DAYS PER MONTH you're swanning around tossing it off which amounts to around 50% of your holiday entitlement in a monthly period.

I'd sack you personally.

davidjwest

McKneff wrote: »

I can understand why they are a bit peeved. Youre not being paid to go for a walk just when you feel like it,
'its only for 5 minutes break' is no excuse' You allowed a break away from the screen but it means you should be employed doing something elst.

26m say half an hour per day is 2.5 hours a week, 10 hours a month. Say 10 people in your works did this, thats 100 unproductive hours a month. Companies cant afford to do that.

I cant believe that you think they are in the wrong.

I don't take a break when I feel like it, I make sure it's when there's a natural pause in what work I've been doing. There's no other tasks that I am employed to do that don't involve using a computer screen, I'm a Systems Analyst.

I do on average 3 hours per week unpaid overtime, so I think them complaining about my 10-20 minutes breaks a bit rich to be honest.

davidjwest

Hammyman wrote: »

So you don't think spending 8% of your day (breaks excluded) "swanning round the building" not doing your job isn't excessive? If you were paying someone to do building work for you and they spent 1/2hr in the day laid on the grass doing nothing would you be happy doing it?

There are no set in stone figures, only guidelines. As has been mentioned, it is a break from looking at the screen, not from work.

As McKneff has said, that amounts to ONE AND A THIRD DAYS PER MONTH you're swanning around tossing it off which amounts to around 50% of your holiday entitlement in a monthly period.

I'd sack you personally.

See the above reply troll.

teabelly

Screen breaks are essential if you are working with one all day. I'd stay at your desk but make sure you are looking well away from the screen and focussing one something further away. Also make sure you get your free eye tests as a vdu user. If you are physically at your desk then they'll moan less.

A system analyst job involves a lot of thought so going for a walk is still working. It's not like being some deskbound data entry or admin person.

Rossy.

My company gives me 10 minutes per hour as i use a computer for 8 hours a day,

I dont get a lunch break though so i work continuous for 8 hours. When i take my 10 min VDU break i do what i please (smoke a ciggy)

My company says the 10 mins per hour is law - It doesnt mean you can leave your desk it just means the law allows you to look away from the screen for 10 mins

teabelly

Found on hse site:

It is not appropriate to lay down requirements for breaks which apply to all types of work; it is the nature and mix of demands made by the job which determine the length of break necessary to prevent fatigue. But some general guidance can be given:

• breaks should be taken before the onset of fatigue, not in order to recuperate and when performance is at a maximum, before productivity reduces. The timing of the break is more important than its length;
• breaks or changes of activity should be included in working time. They should reduce the workload at the screen, i.e. should not result in a higher pace or intensity of work on account of their introduction;
• short, frequent breaks are more satisfactory than occasional, longer breaks: e.g., a 5-10 minute break after 50-60 minutes continuous screen and/or keyboard work is likely to be better than a 15 minute break every 2 hours;
• if possible, breaks should be taken away from the screen;
• Informal breaks, that is time spent not viewing the screen (e.g. on other tasks), appear from study evidence to be more effective in relieving visual fatigue than formal rest breaks;
• wherever practicable, users should be allowed some discretion as to how they carry out tasks; individual control over the nature and pace of work allows optimal distribution of effort over the working day.

TEDDYRUKSPIN

The answer = no such law. Due to health and safety, the company is actually giving you more than you need. The company you work sounds like a right - what you call it. I use to work for one in my teens. Communication-based companies are classic for timing you if you go off bench.