Working break entitlement

[karma22]

I thought it was 15 minutes every 4 hours.

Has it changed as I just looked it up on the net and it says you get 20 mins if you work over 6 hours

[dothawkes31]

Yes it's changed, if you started a new job in the last year or so it's now 2 unpaid 30 minute breaks over the day and paid for 8 hours. It's 20 mins for 6 or less I think (unpaid).

[karma22]

you sure thats rightdot? I thought it was 20 mins over 6 hours,nothing under. I'll try and find th link

[boxtops]

20 mins every 6 hours is what applies where I work

[karma22]

http://uk.wrs.yahoo.c...w/Question551762.html

one link

[karma22]

http://uk.wrs.yahoo.c...reak-entitlement.html

[factor-fiction]

I'd be intereste dto see a link for that one, dot, as I haven't heard of it

[dothawkes31]

Link for which? I don't have any link just my staff handbook from my new job and if we do 8 - 5 we get 2 x 30 mins unpaid breaks. in my last job I used to get 2 x 20 mins paiod breaks and an unpaid hours lunch, so it's a big change for me, i had no idea the rules had changed and would have carried on blissfully unaware of it if i hadn't been made redundant. The staff at my new place get 20 mins if they work up to 6 hrs (it's unpaid too) anyone working 4 hirs is not entitled or they work an extra 15 mins to get a 15 min unpaid break. I can't imagine the firm I work for have just made that all up, i assume they have the right to set the minimum.

[ABerrant]

dot - your employer can make up any rules it likes provided they do not fall foul of the statutory minimum.

For the last decade or so the Working Time Regulations have stipulated a 20 min break if working more than 6 hours. There are specific areas of work not covered by the Regulations.

http://www.direct.gov...ndTimeOff/DG_10029451

[Buenchico]

As others have indicated, the only STATUTORY break entitlement (for an adult) is to a SINGLE break of 20 minutes if the shift EXCEEDS 6 hours. (Exactly 6 hours doesn't qualify for a break). The entitlement is neither 'cumulative' nor 'pro rata'. If you work a 12-hour or 24-hour shift you're still only entitled to ONE 20-minute break.

Workers under 18 years of age are entitled to a single break of 30 minutes if their shift exceeds four and a half hours.

[factor-fiction]

Once again your posting puzzles me, dot. The rules (ie statutory) haven't changed- it's just that you have moved to a new employer with provisions which differ from the statutory minimum