General Chat

I work for a multi-national company. My boss told me that I was only entitled to 20 minutes break in 8 hours. I showed him my contract of employment, which states that I am allowed 30 minutes break. However, people working in other departments get 15 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes for Lunch and 15 minutes in the afternoon. I reckon that this is discrimination and all departments should have the same amount of time for breaks, not necessarily at the same time, but the same amount.

Lindy
xxx

OK Lee

I'll call up all my employer obligation gumph (and there is a lot of it)...lol

Sue xx

Hi Sue will pm you

Hi Rosalyn, I would, but she doesnt want me to

Has she got a copy of her contract? She should have...if so, what does it say?

Could you go with her to her boss?
Ros xx

Lee

How long did she have to read the contract?

Sue xx

Hi Sue

Just asked my daughter about this induction and she didnt have one, she says her first day, the manager showed her how to work the till, to fill out forms for medicals etc..... and sign a contract.

At the moment she is really worried, as Im nagging her to say something, but shes a pretty quiet girl, and doesnt like to rock the boat, so to speak.

It just annoys me that this company are getting away with treating young people like this.

Lee:)

Just logged back on.

By law your daughter should have had her first day induction and they should have told her what the company policies are.

They should have told her where to access the employee handbook which states all the statutory rights, this may be online if it is a national company.

You daughter cannot be disciplined in any way just for asking for sight of the company policy.

She cannot, repeat cannot have one 10 minute break during an 8 hour shift.

If you want any other advice please pm me.

Sue xx

I think it depends what her job is - I work an 8 hour day and have a one hour lunch -no other breaks (technically) as smoke breaks have been outlawed with all this no smoking policy.

Legally if you have your lunch hour and work an 8 hour day you are not exceeding four hours without a break.

These days it comes more for those working on computers who have to walk away - even to photcopy - so they are not working on a computer for so many hours - but what we used to call breaks are a thing of the past.

Saying that - my firm is not draconion and I and my collegues are not allowed breaks. However, I wander off twice a day and everyone knows I have gone for a smoke and others have their odd patterns too. If we work hard its not a problem.

Thanks Chris
hi Julie, thanks for the info, would love a copy when you have time.

Lee :)

Temp or not she is still covered by employment law.

If they terminate her employment because she complains, on the basis of the information you have given, then it is unfair dismissal.

Chris

Hi Lee

All employers have a duty of care.. Where i work all under 18's get a 30 min break as long as they work over 4 hours, if they do an 8 hour day they also get 45 mins on top of this.. Im not back at work till the 27th, but on my work pc i have a written copy of the law for young workers and the hours they are allowed to do. If they are in full time education there is also laws as to the hours they do and on what days. The company can be in a huge amount of trouble if they dont abide by these. Should you like of copy of this, happy to email to you when im back at work

Julie

Hi julie

Thanks, I think they are just taking liberties, and I hate to see her so tired, especially as she has her studies also. Hopefully now she may do something.

Merry Christmas to you and yours too.

Lee x

Hi Lee

Its been a long time since i've worked but

For Saturday it would of been 1 x 15 min break in the morning..1 hour break for lunch ..1x 15 min break in the afternoon

For Sunday it would of been..1 x ½ for the whole day

Julie

Merry Christmas

Hi Summer

Sorry didnt see your reply there.

Its a well known greetings card shop.

Thanks for the advise, I think I maybe get intouch with the CAB after Christmas on her behalf.

Lee x

Hi Teresa
Thanks for the swift reply.

Shes a very quiet girl anyway and doesnt like confrontation so I dont think that she would make a huge fuss.

She did say that all the other staff get more breaks inbetween as they smoke, so are allowed out the back for a quick cig break, my daughter is a non smoker so only gets the 10 minutes to eat lunch etc.

Will let you all know how it goes tommorow evening.

Lee :)

It's difficult with her being temp. I would suggest the CAB for advice on employment law, they usually have a lawyer attached who is up on these things. But with it being the christmas period they're not open until January now.

You are right, her job is not worth her health and studies suffering. Does she work for a small firm or is it a national company?

No she can't, they have to take her down the disciplinary route by law these days, unless its for the obvious offences such as drinking, drug taking fighting or theft and gross misconduct.


Just advice her not to go in with guns blazing, and put the manager on the defensive right away. Better to ask to have a private word, then just ask if there is any chance of more breaks or a longer break in the middle, and see what is said. They can't sack anyone for asking a question, but she might be in trouble if she starts demanding at this stage.

Chances are, they might extend her hours by say 15 or 30 minutes to cover for an unpaid break for that time in the middle.

Hello everyone

Thanks for all your replies, they have been very helpful.

Ive shown my daughter this thread, and she said tommorow when she goes in shes going to mention it to the manager, although she thinks it may lose her her job.

Does anyone know where she would stand if she made a complaint, can she just be sacked for making a stand?

Thanks again

Lee :))

Part time workers have the same rights as full time.

I would offer a 15 min break mid morning and afternoon and 30 mins to EAT LUNCH.

Anything less than that I would class as unfair.

Sue xx