Changing break times

Markb06 · 30 September 2013 at 5:25PM

I have been working for 5 years in the same company with the same contract as always.

From when I started we always had 1 hour break a day. We work 9 hours a day and get paid for 8. (So either 8:30-17:30, 09:00-18:00 or 11:30-20:30)

Its retail based job and we are on our feet for the whole 8 hours.

Today the area manager has said our breaks will change to 20 minutes a day as there is no need to have 4 hours worth of breaks. (4 members of staff in).

Our staff handbook states we get an hours break a day. Can he just change it?

Also there is about 10 stores in our region and if he did it to just us would it be discrimination as in he is penalizing us for the area we are in?

Would he have to write to us officially to do this and would HR have to agree?

Many thanks

Funky_Bold_Ribena · 30 September 2013 at 5:31PM

If it's in your contract then yes, and you would need paying for those extra 40 minutes.

Markb06 · 30 September 2013 at 5:38PM

Does it matter if it is retail as I thought it was one of the exceptions?

AP007 · 30 September 2013 at 5:52PM

It would have to be a formal notice from the HR team not in branch. They are seemingly getting more work out of you for less hours paid.

If your contract states a length of break unpaid you should get that unless they are changing the contracts?

Funky_Bold_Ribena · 30 September 2013 at 6:04PM

Markb06 wrote: »

Does it matter if it is retail as I thought it was one of the exceptions?

One of what exceptions?

Markb06 · 30 September 2013 at 6:05PM

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

One of what exceptions?

Just something I read on the .gov.uk site

AP007 · 30 September 2013 at 6:11PM

Markb06 wrote: »

Does it matter if it is retail as I thought it was one of the exceptions?

exceptions to what?

Markb06 · 30 September 2013 at 6:13PM

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/exceptions

AP007 · 30 September 2013 at 6:16PM

Markb06 wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/exceptions

Copy and post the part of that you are reading that you think applied to you?

Funky_Bold_Ribena · 30 September 2013 at 6:22PM

Markb06 wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/exceptions

What has any of that got to do with changing a contract and not paying the full contractual wage?

Southend1 · 30 September 2013 at 6:23PM

They can change the break times but it would be good practice to consult first. Contact your USDAW rep who will be able to advise how best to deal with this. The change may also contravene locally or nationally negotiated agreements which again your rep will be able to advise on.