Break times at work

mildred1978

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Me, I would rather work on 999 than meeting conversion targets on customers who want to terminate their contracts, some of whom are irate. Primarily because i would not wish to be the whipping boy for the employers own self inflicted injuries.

Oh yeah. Taking calls about murders, domestic violence, child abuse, rape, accidental death, robberies, assaults etc is way less stressful!

DVardysShadow

mildred1978 wrote: »

Oh yeah. Taking calls about murders, domestic violence, child abuse, rape, accidental death, robberies, assaults etc is way less stressful!

Absolutely. When you take those calls, you know that your organisation is for the most part not responsible for the events. If you are abused by a caller, you don't have to attempt to convince them to give your organisation another go. You don't feel that you are the whipping boy for the failings of your organisation.

Sorry to bust your bubble, but I am serious in saying this.

Almo

mildred1978 wrote: »

Again, I refer you to 999 operators. You really have very little to whinge about here.

I think that's a little harsh. I'm not disputing that being a 999 operator would be stressful but there's no point people posting here if the response is always going to be 'yeah, but it could be worse'. I agree that the OP has perhaps underestimated the number of people working shift patterns and thinks his situation is more unique than it is.

OP, your issue is this, if I'm correct: You used to work a 5x8 week with a total of 5 hours of break time. You now work (or will work) a 4x10 and have 'lost' an hour's break over the week. To me the trade off is a no brainer, I'd take the 4 day week any day but you need to decide what is the most important thing for you.

SandC

The 10 min breaks are extras. I would think that works out wonderfully for any smokers as they are now on a 4 days week and get an extra fag break!

I would advise your colleagues not to whinge about this one too much - you are being given way above what they employers are legally obliged to give as it is.

I do agree though if you can't have a hot drink at any other time than official breaks it is quite a squeeze to get a freshly brewed hot drink down you, I can't drink mine straight after the kettle has boiled. But that's not a big enough reason to think you are being hard done by and I really would just get on with it if I were you.

999 operatives are probably allowed to have a drink at their desks for those making comparisons.

mildred1978

SandC wrote: »

999 operatives are probably allowed to have a drink at their desks for those making comparisons.

Absolutely not - in London, at least. Not even water.

liney

Considering that the minimum statutory break for a 10 hour shift is only 20 mins, and you are getting 60 mins, I hardly think you are hard done by.

If 10 min breaks aren't working, then perhaps you could ask for them to revert back to, two 15 mins. That way you still have 3 substantial breaks in your shift which is generous compared to most.

Blue_Elephant

Are your lunch breaks paid or unpaid? That will be the determining factor.

I used to work a 5 day week 8 hours per day 2 x 15 min paid breaks and 1 x 36 min unpaid lunch breaks. (there is a reason for the random lunch time 36*5 = 3 hours, so we work a 37 hour week)

The format my company works one will be the call centre format, although the current contract isn't a call centre - that is why we get the "extra" 2 x 15 minute breaks. My company is not legally obliged to give these.

However I moved from a 5 day 8 hour day to a 4 day 10 hour day. the breaks changed to 2x15 mins paid as normal, and 1 *45 mins unpaid, as we should still be working a 37 hour week and therefore still entitled to 3 hours unpaid break if that makes sense? And although unofficial, some of us (smokers mostly) asked managers to allow a splitting of the lunch break to 35 + 10 if you see what i mean?

With an actual call centre it'll impact upon service levels though and that will be why your management will be digging their heels in. remember, they are not legally obliged to give you anything above a single meal break.

Not trying to get into the argument of OMG my job is so stressful, I do see what you mean, but if you work in customer service a) you shouldn't take it personally, b) you are aware that if a call becomes overly abusive you do not have to continue the call aren't you? And be grateful you're not customer facing. And as for NHS staff not being blamed for folks' problems, go and spend an evening in your local A&E. It's the staff's fault someone got into a fight and now has to wait 3 hours because someone was rude enough to have a heart attack that night....

Almo

mildred1978 wrote: »

Absolutely not - in London, at least. Not even water.

Wow, that is strict. I can see the no hot drinks thing but no water must be tough at times.

soccermom

SandC wrote: »

999 operatives are probably allowed to have a drink at their desks for those making comparisons.

mildred1978 wrote: »

Absolutely not - in London, at least. Not even water.

We can as long as its in a sealed cup, can definitely have water again as long as its a no spill top/sealed.

Thats a tad harsh in London :eek: I know sometimes I get a dry throat from speaking and need to quick refresh with water, obviously not while talking.

mildred1978

soccermom wrote: »

We can as long as its in a sealed cup, can definitely have water again as long as its a no spill top/sealed.

Thats a tad harsh in London :eek: I know sometimes I get a dry throat from speaking and need to quick refresh with water, obviously not while talking.

Put it this way, the Met is about 200 years behind good working practices!