Exploitation and no lunch hour.

GotToChange

On the subject of many small meals throughout the day (as above, possibly a body-builder's diet), I am recalling a talk by a doctor (no, cannot remember who/when) when he compared us to lions - who, he said "They may eat an antelope for their dinner but don't say to themselves - hm, I must have a baby gazelle for a snack to keep me going.....".

I still stand by what I have said and I do believe that energy levels may fall through the course of the day - depending on WHAT we have eaten, of less importance will be the when (and all those condemning the OP could possibly note that he said that he wanted to sit down and eat a meal, not that he wanted a Sunday roast and all the trimmings).
I worked for a few years as part of the R&D team for a MAJOR (red & white can) food manufacturer and was based on a factory site where a subsidised restaurant was available for everyone. It may be or have been a certain mentality - but almost the entire workforce would take advantage of this facility - and yes they did have a cooked, sit-down meal - with pudding!

SueC_2

dark_lady wrote: »

E.g. The people who eat at regular intervals are the ones who are losing weight.
The ones who are restricted on how often they can eat are the ones who either stay the same or even gain a little weight yes thats right,gain it

I guess that explains how all those anorexics get so fat. :rotfl:

GotToChange

SueC wrote: »

I guess that explains how all those anorexics get so fat. :rotfl:

That is a different - and pretty sensitive issue.
I believe that chaotic eating CAN cause weight gain - and yet, paradoxically, the type of restriction imposed by anorexics, does cause weight loss. It is probably not an exact science as every human being is different.
I had a few years of extreme thin-ness and was often - quite casually I might add - accused of being/told that I was anorexic (just based on appearance - and by my step"mother" no less) - but when eating chocolate or key-lime pie (I remember the occasion), a pig.
OTOH, as I gained some weight a couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to take a holiday on which all meals were 1) catered - 2)very healthy (yoga/peace and love type environment) and, I kid you not, with ONE WEEK of very healthy and large breakfast, lunch of salad, chickpeas and fruit (on board a yacht no less.... and no, sea-sickness did not play a part) and a quite hefty - but healthy - dinner about 8pm - I was getting back into shape. I didn't do much exercise that week (ever tried aerobics on a catamaran?), yoga classes were toooo early and we didn't really roam much from the property to run or even walk - so it was the food that caused such a difference.
I have tried many times to recreate that environment and mindset - but I need the turquoise ocean, matching sky, the lovely peeps, the Wildquest catamaran and the odd dolphin pod. Until then, it just won't be the same.
*sigh*

Evil_Olive

Helpful advice which may or may not work.....

If you are aged 16-18 you are entitled BY LAW to one 30 minute break (taken in one block) if you are working a shift that lasts more than 4 1/2 hours. You are entitled to spend this break away from the workplace if you choose.

If you are aged over 18 you are entitled BY LAW to one 20 minute break (taken in one block) if you are working a shift that lasts more than 6 hours.You are entitled to spend this break away from the workplace if you choose.

EDIT:
I failed to follow my own rules and didn't make sure I thoroughly understood all the information I looked up before typing the above Re entitlement to spend your break off-premises. Looking again, the info on the Directgov website regarding this is actually rather ambiguous

you are allowed to spend it away from the place on your employer's premises where you work

(my italics)
This implies that you are not necessarily entitled to spend it completely off-site but are entitled to spend it away from the part of the premises where you work (eg your desk) and therefore, presumably, not working.
Apologies.

Be aware - There ARE exceptions and flexibilities in the law for certain job types and circumstances so...

1) READ all the information on the link in liney's post which you quoted above, clicking on the 'Young workers and working hours (young people section)' if relevant and make sure you thoroughly understand it as there are exceptions and flexibilities in the law for certain job types and circumstances.

When you are absolutely sure that you/your job role meets the requirements to be entitled to a break as outlined above...

2) When you start your first shift that is more than 6 hours (or 4 1/2 hrs depending on your age) long ask your your supervisor if/when you should take your break. If their reply is along the lines of "What break?" or similar, politely remind them of their legal obligation to give you a break (which you will know all about because you will have read and understood ALL of the information in liney's link, right?) Do this in a non-confrontational and unemotional manner.

3) If this gets you nowhere, ask or find an opportunity to do the same thing again with someone who is above your supervisor (the manager?) if possible. If this also gets you nowhere, do not argue or walk out etc etc, take it on the chin and finish the rest of your shift without a break but make sure you know the name and job title/position of the most senior person and any others who have told you you cannot take your legal break.

4) At the earliest opportunity seek advice from the organisation who arranged the work programme on who you should report this to and what you should do to stop it happening again. Check with them also that you are definitely legally entitled to a break. Advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau may also be useful and impartial.

5) Read ALL the information AGAIN, be 100% sure that you are within your legal rights to insist on a break.

6) Report it. Report it. Report it.

This may not get you anywhere, but at least you tried...

Should I really be working for a company which doesn't respect its staff?

In my personal experience companies which truly respect/care about their staff are like hens teeth, very very rare indeed, so get used to being "exploited" - Welcome to the World

teajug

Evil_Olive wrote: »

In my personal experience companies which truly respect/care about their staff are like hens teeth, very very rare indeed, so get used to being "exploited" - Welcome to the World

Not to the world but to greedy and uncaring Britian....:o

Sambucus_Nigra

teajug wrote: »

Not to the world but to greedy and uncaring Britian....:o

If you seriously think that Britain are the worst in the world for treatment of their employees then you really really need to get out more.

Sambucus_Nigra

Evil_Olive wrote: »

Helpful advice which may or may not work.....

If you are aged 16-18 you are entitled BY LAW to one 30 minute break (taken in one block) if you are working a shift that lasts more than 4 1/2 hours. You are entitled to spend this break away from the workplace if you choose.

If you are aged over 18 you are entitled BY LAW to one 20 minute break (taken in one block) if you are working a shift that lasts more than 6 hours.You are entitled to spend this break away from the workplace if you choose.

The OP was firstly, not employed. And secondly, was on a 5 hour shift. 8-1. So, was more than able to take his lunch at 1, like millions of workers every day.

Evil_Olive wrote: »

Report it. Report it. Report it.

Report it to whom dear?

scheming_gypsy

There is a way to resolve the issue. They should extend his hours so he works 8 - 2 and let him take an hours lunch at 1pm; he'd probably be happy then

paddyrg

teajug wrote: »

Not to the world but to greedy and uncaring Britian....:o

Really? I work all over the world - let me assure you employees are positively cosseted in the UK compared with pretty much the whole of the rest of the world. Not saying that it's a bad thing, but try working on a building site in the Middle East, or as a dhobi (laundryman) in India, or an electronics recycling plant in China for instance - you will appreciate just how much we take for granted in the UK.

paulmapp8306

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

There is a way to resolve the issue. They should extend his hours so he works 8 - 2 and let him take an hours lunch at 1pm; he'd probably be happy then

Firstly thats kind of what they are doing. He finishes at 1 say can take his luch - unpaid then. Whats the differnce changin his hours until 2 and letting has 1-2 unpaid for lkunch??

It may be an option if luncj h is 12-1 however that also may not be possible.

if the company employes two shifts - 8 til 1, and 1 till 6, and does so in order to avoid breaks and therefore having a full workforce for a 10 hour day, who will cover the OPs work between 12 and 1?

The company is doing nothing wrong. The OP is more than capable of taking an energy bar/drink with him to work and snacking between 8 and 1.

Hes also more than capable of having breakfast before work and lunch after. He doesnt seem to have an underlying issue (unlike others in the thread), and actually stated he didnt have the energy to go to the gym after work if he cant eat in work hours !!!

He appears to want to eat what and when he wants, regardless of the company following legal procedures, in order for him to have what he thinks (from whatever incorrect source) he needs in order to achieve his personal goals.

IF he has a real underlying medical ussue making eating during the shift necessary, he neesd to get that diagnosed and a doctors note at least, which will either give him a reason to try and make a compromise with the employers, or would mitigate his choice not to work from a benefits POV

Sorry - but the OP has no case, and just looks like hes causing issues that arnt there ti either avaid work or to work on his terms. Thats not going to happen. Do the job or dont - thats your choice. If you have an option to work and dont you deserve to loose any benefits you would otherwise be entitled to.

sorry - the thread has taken twists and turns and really has gone away from the original OP. What other medical issues siome have - and how them may or may not manage it isnt really the point.