tea breaks

[sjohnson99]

Complaint re deduction of pay for lunch breaks. In my 14 years of work at AMVC kitchens I have never been deducted any payment in respect of breaks taken. The only break that I have each day is 15 mins . The same applies to other kitchen staff . The catering staff are a committed group of women that work diligently. They are most aggrieved, as I am, by this course of action. No one has ever taken 30 minutes as a lunch break. they now have decided to deduct money from us but did not inform us before doing this what is law about tea breaks i work 8 and half hours a day for 4 days and 11 hours on the 5th day
thank you

[Amethyst]

Re: tea breaks

you have the right to a 20 minute break if you work over 6 hours in a day. Pay should be detailed in your contract of employment - do you have a copy? The break does not have to be paid but often is - but it should be in your contract of employment - however if it is not then as you have been taking 15 mins breaks and been paid for them over the past 14 years then it would likely be an implied term of your contract of employment.

it doesn't sound from your post that you have been forced to take only 15 min breaks but it was done through choice/necessity for the work. Are you now being told you must take 30 minute break ? does that fit in with your work?

[sjohnson99]

Re: tea breaks

i am a chef it says in the contract has upaid but they have always paid it for the last 14 years then it stopped with out notice this month we all take 15 mins has we are all so busy all the time

[Amethyst]

Re: tea breaks

Hi, Okay so it is an express term of your contract that breaks are unpaid - you feel -I guess - that through custom and practice over the last 14 yrs that that term has been changed.
I presume your company feel they are simply enforcing a term of the contract that they haven't before.

Are there employees who have more recent contracts - do they have the same terms?

Have you discussed the matter with your employers at all? (did u just notice your pay packet was half hour short one day or have they discussed it with the staff) 11 hours is certainly a long shift without any break.

You might find it useful to have a chat with ACAS (Helpline number: 08457 47 47 47)

[CleverClogs]

Re: tea breaks

So don't take any breaks and piddle in the soup instead. :bolt:

[charitynjw]

Re: tea breaks

So don't take any breaks and piddle in the soup instead. :bolt:

Pea soup, anyone?

[CleverClogs]

Re: tea breaks

Pea soup, anyone?

Where did the OP indicate that s/he worked in a brewery? :grin: