Can an employer insist that staff can only take a half-hour break for a 7.5hr shift

MissSarah1972

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

Bit of both to be honest, can't imagine they would be best pleased if I naffed off at 8.30 on a Saturday night for a half hour break leaving a section full of tables with no one looking after them.

ah you work in service - that's the companies problem not yours as you are entitled to a break.

MissSarah1972

V_Chic_Chick wrote: »

That's their own business - they need to have enough staff on that each section can be covered when their waitress goes off on their break. It's a legal requirement for good reasons, not a perk that can be given and taken away on the whim of your supervisor.

I've had this conversation with my employer (I'm also waitressing atm), made it entirely clear that I wasn't going to work without a break, and I have got my break every shift since.

Well done you! Many say speak up and you will get sacked but I say speak up and you get what you are entitled to!

V_Chic_Chick

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

Well done you! Many say speak up and you will get sacked but I say speak up and you get what you are entitled to!

Well yes, exactly. Unfortunately the job is so cruddy (as in, more cruddy than any waitressing job that I have ever worked, without exception) that I'm about to resign anyway!

stuckdebt

I work at ASDA, and reading this makes me realise how lucky I am regarding breaks..

4-5hr shift = no break
6hr = 20 min
7-9 hr 15 min + 30 min unpaid
10 hr 20 min + 30 min unpaid
12+ hr 2x 15 min and 30 min unpaid

scooby088

I was once on an induction with an agency and their rep told us that because it was only 6 hours a night we wouldn't get a break but I know a few things and said we are entitled to 20 mins and that it wasn't a favour by the company when they gave us the 20 mins. I was asked to leave as they don't like know it all's.

getmore4less

scooby088 wrote: »

I was once on an induction with an agency and their rep told us that because it was only 6 hours a night we wouldn't get a break but I know a few things and said we are entitled to 20 mins and that it wasn't a favour by the company when they gave us the 20 mins. I was asked to leave as they don't like know it all's.

Especialy when they are wrong, 6hrs no break, over 6hrs break

Takeaway_Addict

scooby088 wrote: »

I was once on an induction with an agency and their rep told us that because it was only 6 hours a night we wouldn't get a break but I know a few things and said we are entitled to 20 mins and that it wasn't a favour by the company when they gave us the 20 mins. I was asked to leave as they don't like know it all's.

LOL you were asked to leave because you were wrong! Only entitled to a break if you are expected to work 6 hours and 1 second+

scooby088

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

LOL you were asked to leave because you were wrong! Only entitled to a break if you are expected to work 6 hours and 1 second+

Forgot to add that they said overtime was compulsory and they made it sound like the company didn't have to give you a break. I was asked to leave when I mentioned they had to give a break.

MissSarah1972

scooby088 wrote: »

Forgot to add that they said overtime was compulsory and they made it sound like the company didn't have to give you a break. I was asked to leave when I mentioned they had to give a break.

for 6 hours they do not have to.

scooby088

MissSarah1972 wrote: »

for 6 hours they do not have to.

I know!!!

What I failed to mention in my OP was that OT was expected after the 6 hours worked, and that the employment agency made it sound like the company were doing you a favour letting us have a break after the 6 hours was worked.