Lunch Breaks

[sunray]

I currently work in an office on a computer 8am til 5pm with an unpaid lunch hour. My employer has told me i have to start having half an hour my lunch and two 15 mins breaks? Is this correct, i do not get paid for my hour so surley i can take this all in one go if i choose to?

[indieanna86]

Quite a few companies are doing this these days I think. Have you tried asking your boss if its ok to keep your hour as it is? I know it must be a bit rubbish as 30 mins wouldn't feel like a break at all to me!

[Kerplunk]

Take a look at this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/16-1.htm

and look at regulation 4, part of which states:

Where circumstances permit, the best arrangement is for users to have some individual control over the pace of work and when to take breaks.

[WendyS]

If you are continually using a computer, for health & safety reasons it's surely better to break up your day rather than staring solidly at a screen for four solid hours at a time, which leads to headaches and eye strain, unless of course you need 60 minutes to get out of the office to do your food shopping, etc. Your lunch arrangements should have been detailed in your contract letter of employment. if they are not, then they are probably open to negotiation.

[dolly pond]

I never take a break...... its us naughty estate agents who just love to sell all the time! its a miracle if any of us take 15 mins out during a day! but i love it