Drinking Water at Work whilst working

[jason1980]

Hi I work 8 hours a day doing physical caravan cleaning. I've been told by my employer that I will not be permitted to drink anything whilst I am working. I am only allowed to drink water during my half hour break, none before and none after.

Is this legal or even allowed. It means in 8 hours I can only have 1 drink of water, where I usually carry a small bottle around with me and sip it when im thirsty.

[Dollie]

Jason - what a rotton employer - not sure of your rights but if you click on

www.is4profit.com

you may find out the answer to what you want to know - do you really have to work this company???

[jason1980]

Its awkward - I work in Accounts & Payroll for a family run business which includes supervising staff at weekends on the holiday parks which we're contracted at. It's the holiday park that has introduced this rule to all of our staff and I don't think anyone should have to go most of the day without a drink.

[joko]

i don't think this is right - its health and safety.
when doing manual work you could dehydrate and collapse, particularly in hot weather.
I suggest you challenge your employer and try to find some H&S info to support your complaint.

I would try the CAB or your local job centre - they should be able to advise you where to find the laws

i don't see his problem, its not like taking a swig takes ages!!

[Postdog]

I'm not sure of the legalities either, but it does seem too harsh to me. I once had a similar situation where I was doing a physical job in hot weather and I actually needed water every now and then, and was told off for it by some ahole of a manager. A regular tea break, yeah, I can understand, but this to me smacks of going against civil liberties and basic human rights.

[jason1980]

hi you're right I never thought of the health and safety side of it...

http://www.healthandsafety.co.uk/workphsw.htm

It is section 22 of the Healht & safety act under Welfare where adequate non mains drinking water can be available to all employees at any time. Now I know the facts I'll shall make sure we ALL have bottles of water on our next visit.

[jason1980]

so tired tonight I cant even spell Health...

Thanks everyone for contributing to this.

[lizwizz]

Is your employer worried that you might be spending ages making coffee only to spill it in the caravan? Make it plain to him that you only want to drink water. Ask him for his reasons for this rather draconian rule (but don't phrase it like that!). I read on the side of a water bottle that 1% dehydration can result in a 10% reduction in performance. I doubt that is what he wants. Good luck

[rachela500]

I agree with lizwizz, ask them why they won't allow you to drink.

If they know you are keeping the bottle of water with you, there won't be a problem with you leaving your 'post' to get a drink, so not delaying any work you do.

I always thought you were entitled to a 10/15 min break every 4 hours if you couldn't get a drink whilst on the job.

[rachela500]

Just realised that the last bit I wrote is what you have said anyway!

Another point you could make is that if you drink small amounts thoughout the day, you are unlikely to keep needing toilet breaks because your body uses the water much more efficiently in small amounts (ie. it doesn't go straight though you as it would if you drink it all in one go on your lunch break).

[Se7en]

Ive heard of a one owner firm in my industry (professional firm) who would not let his staff go to the toilet within half an hour of starting work, finnishing work or either side of lunchhour.

If I worked there I would just have a dump on the office floor out of principle !

[bluejonjo]

For eight hours your supposed to have 2 15 min breaks aswell as an hour (unpaid) for lunch.

[kazza12345]

sorry do you work in accounts and payroll, or do you clean the caravans?

[dot.hawkes]

Working 8 hours you are entitled to an hours unpaid lunch and two 15 or 20 minute paid breaks.

[jason1980]

Mondays - Fridays I work in Accounts & Payroll. Its a family run business - My employer is actually my mother who owns the company. On weekends I help supervise staff, but it's the site we are contracted to (they pay us for providing them cleaners) who have demanded that ALL cleaners aren't allowed to take bottles of water with them & including myself.

I was getting all the facts before I hit them with the rights and wrongs.

[stanleyman]

You or your mother is the employer and responsible for the staff welfare and no one else can tell you how to run your business or what breaks you have unless you are daft enough to let them.

The contractor has no right or reason to demand these stipulations unless it was in the contract and was reasonable and legal to do so. Would you work naked if they demanded it? Someone needs to get this stupid situation sorted out.

[stanleyman]

Should have said the customer not contractor.