dinner and tea breaks

[andyjackie]

does any one now the law on dinner and tea breaks at work --UK--
I work for a local council and there stopping our tea breaks in the afternoons

[sweetdreams]

I think it depends upon the amount of hours you work?

[andyjackie]

80am -430pm 5 days per week

[claguey]

If you work a standard 8hr day, you are required to have a minimum 30 mins break, taken usually between your 3rd - 5th hour - EU Working Time Directive.If you are PC based, you should take a short break 5mins away from your screen every hour - Health & Safety. Tea breaks are discretionary not an entitlement unfortunately.

[CheekyChops]

I think most places have stopped tea breaks and just have a lunch hour (or half hour or whatever).

I can't remember the last time I was allowed an afternoon tea break - although most places allow you to make a drink, you are not usually 'entitled' to ten minutes to sit elsewhere and drink it.

[kempie]

http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-le gislation/employment-guidance/page28979.html#r est_breaks

[froggequene]

Speak to the Union Steward in your building or if you're not a member of the Union & don't want to approach him/her directly, you can still ring the local branch office anonymously to speak to the rep & ask why this change has come in.

[Whickerman]

any change in your terms and conditions- whether you're entitled to them or not by law - have to be negotiated. Your union will have something to say on this. If the change is implemented and unchallenged it is deemed accepted and you have no right to complain afterwards.

[thugulike]

There is no legal right to a paid break. Under Working Time Regulations you must have a 20 minute break (unpaid) after 6 hours work. You may have enjoyed through custom and practice paid breaks. Try your trade union but these perks are becoming less and less.

[andyjackie]

everyone is right ,trade unions are getting less power now for the working people
I still cant beleave here in Scotland we have to work a 39 hr week were in France its 35.
More work less pay.Thanks all for your help
Andy

[dot.hawkes]

I get an hours unpaid lunch and a morning 20 mins break and an afternoon 20 mins paid break, my staff, if they work more than 4 hours get paid breaks as follows:
up to 5 hours 20 mins paid
up to 6 hours 30 mins paid
up to 7 hours 30 mins unpaid and 20 mins paid.
over 7 it is the same as mine.
The paid breaks, if they are worked, are lost, if the unpaid breaks cannot be taken, they are owed and can be taken as lieu time.

[andyjackie]

thx Dot

[buildersmate]

The comparison with France is pretty rich. Its because the dozy French Government won't stand up the Unions that their country is in the appalling economic state it is.

[andyjackie]

you are right in some ways, but we do need unions Only this govenment and others are slowly going away from them and workers rights