Law regarding breaks?

DVardysShadow

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.

Yes, you might sack him, but then you might not be the best placed person to understand what a systems analyst does.

teabelly wrote: »

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.

I would agree with this.

To measure a systems analysts work by how many hours he spends in front of a screen and how few breaks he takes is to totally misunderstand the systems analyst's job. Hammyman, it is like measuring a lorry driver's efficiency by the number of breaks he takes - this is probably not as relevant as how many drops he can do and how few miles he can take to do them.

OP have a look at http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/vdubreaks.htm - among other things they recommend a change of posture.

davidjwest

teabelly wrote: »

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.

Exactly. I often take a break when I've got a problem I can't solve and the walk helps me clear my head and help me come up with a solution.

Thanks for the input everyone.

McKneff

You still dont seem to be able to take in the logistics of it can you.

I thought system analysists were supposed to be clever, and theres me a thick Geordie (lol) understands it all.

Annie

thriftytracey

I am a QA analyst (software tester) and our company allows 2 15 minute breaks per day. TBH in our department none of the testers or developers really take breaks. It isn't monitored by management anyway. I can't believe that management are timing breaks like that. Having said that when I worked as a Support Analyst on the phones management were like the SS I remember being hauled into the office for being 2 minutes late back from lunch. In the same company in one department you are trusted and valued, in the other you were treated like S***. It's all down to management culture.

liney

10 mins every two hours, so they expect you to break mid morning, have lunch a couple of hours later, break mid afternoon and then go home. I don't think that's unreasonable.

If you are genuinely concened from a health and safety point of view and haven't just chosen this battle because you fancy a row, then go and make a coffee, use the loo, look away from the screen when using the telephone, pop to the printer the other side of the room, etc, but don't go swanning off for a walk when you fancy because it is grounds for disciplinary, especially as the the company you work for have told you it is unacceptable. A quiet word is often the preamble for further action should the behavior continue. It doesn't matter what my boss thinks, or anyone elses boss thinks, or that it's only 20 minuites: your company want you in the office unless you are on an official break, and as they are paying you then that's what you do.

Bobl

By law you are entitled to a 20 minute break if you work for 6 hours or more, the break must be taken in one go so a lunch break covers this. Also there is a difference between the definition of computer v VDU (which is generally two colour and has statutory breaks built in; 10 mins every hour I think), it sounds like you use a computer and therefore you are not entitled to additional breaks.

In my experience if they are questioning your breaks, it is usually a sign that they are questioning your work ethic and maybe the quality of your work - just a thought!

C_Mababejive

Bottom line is that companies do what they like and enforce policies that they deem fit. Without collective bargaining i.e TU representation,they will continue to do what they like. Sometimes if you make waves,they single you out as a trouble maker then eventually you get sacked or driven out of your job.

Hammyman

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Yes, you might sack him, but then you might not be the best placed person to understand what a systems analyst does.

I'm a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and have been for 12 years and have been in IT for over 2.5 decades. I have my own company specialising in repairs and servicing computers and my previous company did network installs and support services for local companies.

And to davidjwest, 1440 thanks in 920 posts so I'm hardly a troll.

SarEl

I believe that the relevant point here is that it doesn't matter what we think - all that matters is what the employer thinks. The employer isn't breaking the law, so if the employer says that walking around the grounds, walking up and down the stairs, or pacing in circles around your desk isn't acceptable, then it would be wise to pay attention. If that doesn't fit in with how you want to work, then the obvious answer is to do as you are told until you find another job where the employers rules are more to your liking.

davidjwest

SarEl wrote: »

I believe that the relevant point here is that it doesn't matter what we think - all that matters is what the employer thinks. The employer isn't breaking the law, so if the employer says that walking around the grounds, walking up and down the stairs, or pacing in circles around your desk isn't acceptable, then it would be wise to pay attention. If that doesn't fit in with how you want to work, then the obvious answer is to do as you are told until you find another job where the employers rules are more to your liking.

The employer says a ten minute break every 2 hours is acceptable, if I choose to pace around in circles in my break then that's my prerogative surely? Not that I do that of course.

I suffer from a long-term, chronic illness and am covered by the Disability Discrimination Act - does that make any difference legally?

I brought this up at my last appraisal and they've asked for a Doctor's report now.