care worker breaks

Galaxy1987

Hi all.

I know what the answer will be, but thought would ask further.

I work in residential childcare and do not recieve uninterupted tea breaks because of the needs of the service, however until recently we where able to take a quick smoke break when the senior (supernumery) would cover our duties.

The organisation has brought in a policy on smoking. The policy does not state we are not able to take time for a quick smoke when we are covered but about the environment etc. But have stated we cannot smoke at all during the shift, there was no consultation just word of mouth via managers.

Few questions.

Can they remove the provision without consultation.

Can they hold us to disciplinary if we take a smoke break even though the policy does not state it.

If we have the availabilty of the supernumery senior should we not be given the legal breaks as we have the staff cover and would not be excempt.

Our shifts range from 6.5, 8.5 or 14.5 hours and can be very demanding at times.

paddedjohn

You are legally entitled to a 20 minute break if you work for 6 hours or more, this can be taken away from your work station/place.

System

In a care environment it is not so clear cut

LittleVoice

Jayt1987 wrote: »

Hi all.

I know what the answer will be, but thought would ask further.

I work in residential childcare and do not recieve uninterupted tea breaks because of the needs of the service, however until recently we where able to take a quick smoke break when the senior (supernumery) would cover our duties.

The organisation has brought in a policy on smoking. The policy does not state we are not able to take time for a quick smoke when we are covered but about the environment etc. But have stated we cannot smoke at all during the shift, there was no consultation just word of mouth via managers.

Few questions.

Can they remove the provision without consultation.

Can they hold us to disciplinary if we take a smoke break even though the policy does not state it.

If we have the availabilty of the supernumery senior should we not be given the legal breaks as we have the staff cover and would not be excempt.

Our shifts range from 6.5, 8.5 or 14.5 hours and can be very demanding at times.

What is the answer?

indsty

Are you allowed to smoke on the premises - inside or outside? In a care environment, e.g. many NHS premises have banned smoking anywhere on their land, cars, etc. TBH, I really don't think you should be smoking at all whilst looking after children. I would not want my child looked after by someone smelling of smoke.
Regular breaks however should be allowed - but nothing extra for smoking, that is totally unfair to other staff.

getzls

indsty wrote: »

l I would not want my child looked after by someone smelling of smoke.

What about Garlic? Smoked Kippers etc?;)

Dunroamin

getzls wrote: »

What about Garlic? Smoked Kippers etc?;)

Most people's clothes don't smell of garlic or kippers.

getzls

Dunroamin wrote: »

Most people's clothes don't smell of garlic or kippers.

Maybe, maybe not.
Where do we draw the line?

Anti smoking Fascists strike again.

And yes i do smoke.:p

dacouch

getzls wrote: »

What about Garlic? Smoked Kippers etc?;)

Smoking cures kippers

Nebulous2

You are mixing up two different things. There are often no formal breaks in residential care and it would cause huge issues for the whole industry (and all the staff) if that was removed.

Then there is the policy on smoking. Many care settings are heading in the direction that your employer has gone, though yours may be at the front of the pack. Do you have a union? There should have been some consultation and you should certainly have got the policy in writing.

I would have expected something like a 6 month lead-in with smoking cessation measures like therapy and patches being provided to help people make the jump.

dawyldthing

I work as a support worker and we have bought it up before as we can be on shift 30 hours in one go if not more (do sleep as well though mind) and we just get told that we can have a few minutes to ourselves in the home but you aren't to leave the service users as ultimately if something happens and you aren't there there can be major problems. Working in care is a completely different kettle of fish compared to working in a shop or an office or the like