Advice with office situation - DSE/VDU work

whattodoaboutit

Hello, I hope I have posted in the correct place as I could do with some advice/help on what to do regarding a new job.

I've just started work in an office, employed part time, as a CAD (computer aided design) worker.

There are 10 of us who work in the office, we each have a desk and computer/screen. The office is pretty much silent - no one talks - which is odd but fine and I plug myself into my headphones. I work 9-5, 4 days a week.

The problem is that we are expected to sit at the desk doing our intricate CAD work for 7.5 hours a day (half an hour unpaid lunch break). The work is constant and you have no change in what you are doing - literally using the keyboard and screen for the entire time. I am getting eye strain/fatigue from this and just need a break from the screen but it isn't permitted.

I did ask one of the other guys about breaks from the screen and he said they had asked the boss about it about a year ago and he "kicked off big style".

The boss isn't the approachable kind and he sits in his office at the back of the room watching over us, so it is impossible to even get up from the desk and take a screen break. Apart from the normal "toilet breaks" I don't know how I can discretely take a screen break and let my eyes/body recover. I'm in my 40's and I'm even struggling with sitting so long in one position.

Any advice would be helpful.

74jax

Do you print anything? Maybe one hour go to the loo, the next print something?

Our yearly DSE asks if we have a break away from the screen every hour, what does yours say.

If you are new, are you due a review meeting?

I if the others are in agreement, perhaps now is the time to rectify this. If you aren't looking at the screen, what else can you be doing work wise, so the boss knows you aren't 'taking a break' but still working.

[Deleted User]

Hoping you don't also have to provide own drinks, how is that managed - could a 'drinks round' get you a break? One place it had to be as soon as the manager's back was turned (out or meetings) we'd be filling up on tea coffee etc.

Do you have access to open windows?

ohreally

As I'm sure you know you're entitled to time away from the screen. Does the employer have a policy/ risk assessment?

Oakdene

HSE wrote:

Every employer shall so plan the activities of users at work in his undertaking that their daily work on display screen equipment is periodically interrupted by such breaks or changes of activity as reduce their workload at that equipment.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/vdubreaks.htm

nicechap

You've not been there for 2 years so they can get rid of you for no reason at all if they wish. You may wish to start looking for alternative employment as a back up plan.

In the meantime, if you're experiencing problems sitting for so long you must let your boss know to avoid developing long term health issues - whatever you're being paid now will not make up for a painful retirement - the link provided by oakdene is also very helpful.

No one here can speak to your boss, only you & your colleagues can.

pmlindyloo

nicechap wrote: »

You've not been there for 2 years so they can get rid of you for no reason at all if they wish. You may wish to start looking for alternative employment as a back up plan.

In the meantime, if you're experiencing problems sitting for so long you must let your boss know to avoid developing long term health issues - whatever you're being paid now will not make up for a painful retirement - the link provided by oakdene is also very helpful.

No one here can speak to your boss, only you & your colleagues can.

I would suggest that raising a health and safety issue and then being dismissed would be considered and an automatic reason for unfair dismissal.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/leaving-a-job/dismissal/check-if-your-dismissal-is-fair/

The first thing to do is to raise a grievance with your employer. It would help if this was a joint grievance with your colleagues.

I also suggest that you seek help form Citizens Advice who will help you with the written grievance and support you after that.

Of course this is not a pleasant thing to do as the atmosphere at work could be pretty dire. On the other hand employers should know the law and apply it correctly.

The link given is the legislation that you need to quote.

In the end you may wish to seek other employment as making a sole stand can be stressful. If your colleagues will back you then there will be safety and strength in numbers.