Workplace breaks

[jorainbow]

The following is taken from new contract at workplace.


Monday - Wednesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 17:30
Friday: 08:00 - 14:00

This is 37.5 hours paid with unpaid breaks. In unpaid breaks staff are expected to share time with scholars such as during family dining, in recognition of this staff receive food and refreshments.

Is the acceptable/legal? Basically we don't get breaks where we can do our own thing!

Thanks

[ULA]

The requirement is for you have an uninterrupted break during which you a free to use the time as you wish. Expecting you to share time with scholars in your break and effectively still be working, even with the enticements of food and refreshments, does not meet the requirements of you having an uninterrupted break.

[jorainbow]

Thank you. I spoke to the Chief Operating Officer who agreed this was illegal as was the fact they only pay 37.5hrs and not the 38 worked and was taking it to Executive. And has now gone quiet! Will chase a response

[ULA]

Fingers crossed it will get sorted but a gentle chase to see what is happening would not be amiss.

Come back and let us know what happens.

[jorainbow]

Hi Ula
i chased and was advised by HR that they would be pushing the new contracts out which should address this and that the Chief Operating Officer would look at the historic issues. COO spoke to me yesterday and said that the Principal had become 'defensive' wanting to know who had asked. I have a new job so she was wishing me well. Later in the day I got an email telling me she had told the principal I had asked and she felt guilty that she had told him it was me! So much for in confidence.

[ULA]

Thank you for the update. sorry to hear that a conversation you thought was "in confidence" turned out not to be. However what you have pointed out is a fact of law and they were in the wrong. Hopefully this will not affect your new job and you have highlighted an issue which they need to rectify for existing and new colleagues.

Good luck in your new job!

[jorainbow]

Unfortunately it seems they won't rectify it which is a shame for all concerned. The 15 minute breaks are allocated for toilet breaks not for actual away from work breaks. Jokingly I suggested people bring a good book and make full use of the time . I think this just highlights there are still some very poor practices out there .

[ULA]

Unfortunately I do, as part of my work on the forum, come across poor employer practices.

Is your new job still with this employer or are you moving on elsewhere?

[jorainbow]

Elsewhere thankfully. It must be very difficult seeing so much poor practice .

[ULA]

Good luck for your new job and hopefully they are a good employer.

[DannyFlippo]

Unfortunately it seems they won't rectify it which is a shame for all concerned. The 15 minute breaks are allocated for toilet breaks not for actual away from work breaks. Jokingly I suggested people bring a good book and make full use of the time . I think this just highlights there are still some very poor practices out there .

That is, if in your organization, as in most others, office employees work from 9 to 18 (from 10 to 19), then their lunch break is usually 1 hour. It can be increased to 2 hours (if, for example, the dining room is far enough away from the office or employees prefer to go home for lunch to the other end of the city) or cut to 30 minutes. Accordingly, it is necessary to increase or decrease the time spent in the workplace.