Casual Contract (lunchbreaks?)

vmf199

Hello

I've started a new part time job as a self-employed person (supervising students), usually it's just mornings or evenings but this week I've done some holiday cover and done a few full days with 30 min lunch break...when invoicing, should I charge for lunch break? Here's part of letter I got when starting.....

"Under this arrangement I will pay you monthly in arrears, by the hour. The hourly rate will be £8.
As you will be self-employed, you will have to arrange your own income tax, National Insurance
etc. Statutory Sick Pay or similar benefits such as paid holidays (public or otherwise) will not apply.
This not a fixed term workers contract."

Any thoughts much appreciated
thanks in advance
Vicky

Sambucus_Nigra

What were you doing in your lunch break?

vmf199

went for a quick walk and ate lunch, (wasn't working)

McKneff

No, I wouldnt charge for lunch break.

Youre not working for them so there is no reason for them to pay you.

You wouldnt get paid for it if you were employed.

Who decided you were self employed, only the HMRC can decide if you can go self employed. No one else.

vmf199

All jobs in past where I've been 'employed' I've been paid

persa

If you are genuinely self employed and are charging an hourly rate rather than a fixed fee, your clients will expect to be billed for time spent, not for your lunch breaks.

But as McKneff points out, it's important to establish that you are actually self employed and not just an employee with a dodgy employer.

Sambucus_Nigra

vmf199 wrote: »

went for a quick walk and ate lunch, (wasn't working)

Then don't invoice them for it. I was presuming you took a 'lunch break' but carried on working, hence invoice them.

Personally, I don't think you are self-employed - it jut sounds like a get out for the employer. But hey ho, what can you do?

skintandscared_2

vmf199 wrote: »

All jobs in past where I've been 'employed' I've been paid

Have you? I've always been employed (as opposed to self employed) and never been paid for lunchbreaks.

vmf199

In some where I've been 'employed' (not self-employed) i have

skintandscared_2

vmf199 wrote: »

In some where I've been 'employed' (not self-employed) i have

Well then I'd count that as an exception. I've always worked for large, international City law firms and have never been paid for lunchbreaks (despite that fact that I usually work through most of them!)