Workplace Rules For Break Entitlement

[Jenarry]

For a lot of years (and then when current owners took over 10yrs ago) anyone in our workplace who works 6hours is entitled to a paid break . It used to be half hour then not so long ago it went down to 15 minutes.
Then last Friday our supervisor went into the staffroom where 2 of my colleagues were taking a break and told them that from the following week anyone working 6 hrs would not be entitled to a break. This doesn't affect me with my current hours but it does affect a few others on a daily basis. She had a printout of some workplace rules that she showed them but didn't even leave them to read properly she just walked out with it.
Is this right. I think what they are working on is the fact it says anyone working 'over' 6 hours.
Also we have had a new lady start the same week and unusually they have given 6 1/4 hour shifts so she gets to have a break which has bothered people,
can they change peoples breaks like this with very little notice . I don't think there is anything in our contract about breaks . We are a very busy small workplace with around a dozen staff. Staff are on the go from the second they arrive til going,running around like there's no tomorrow and feel the break is much needed even just for a breather.
I hear a lot of the staff aren't happy and are job hunting.

[chelle7272]

Yes the working time regulations state anyone working 6 hours is entitled to a 20 minute break
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1373

[MargoTester]

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/hours_of_work/rest_periods_and_breaks.html
Seems to read after 6 hours

[MargoTester]

The acas one states A 20min break if working longer that 6 hours too

[chelle7272]

They are within the law, just, if they limit staff to 6 hour shifts.
It may be worth raising it with them if a lot of staff are unhappy.

[Hopkirk]

Was there any reference to breaks in your contracts?

By the way though, some companies don't pay during breaks. Sainsbury's have just stopped paying for breaks and a few other things in order to fund a pay 'rise'.

[woofgang]

The NHS in general don't pay for breaks.

[bednobs]

i think your colleagues have been lucky so far. In the NHS for the last 13 years, i have worked 9-5 but been paid for 7.5 hours per day. My break has never been paid

[Islay]

If you work more than 6 hours you are entitled to a break, paid or otherwise is up to the employer to decide.

[fiction-factory]

You could suggest an unpaid break and then pethaps finish a bit later.