Breaks at work?

It does depend on the industry you work in, but generally under the Working Time regulations the break entitlement is 20 minutes if you are required to work 6 hours or more. However, the employer should also consider any health and safety risks and if necessary give longer breaks to reduce these risks.

Sorry - looks like you're getting the legal requirement.

The weblink below is always really helpful for lots of employment queries:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451

asseenfromoutside

I work 12 hour shifts and no breaks. think yourself lucky

storybud

depends on the type of work you do!
different types of labour require different breaks.
if your work in retail as far as i know your legal entitlement is 1 half hour break.
most other jobs entitlements are 2 breaks one 10-15 min break+1 half hour break,other jobs are 1 x 15 min break +
1 hr break ,as i said depends on the industry your in,
also the country your in too and if your job is in a workers
union,there is a limit to the hours a person can work in a week the world over .
so i suggest you try your citizens advice bureau for your local
laws/rights.

Judy

It depends on where you are. In most US states there is no legal requirement for breaks or lunch breaks.

Leanne196

The working time regulations clearly state that you are entitled to a 20 minute break when you work six hours so you are getting more than the legal minimum.

It is not a paid break - your employer can choose whether they pay you for this time or not. Most employers do not pay for breaks.

The situation is different if you are a young worker - someone under 18 but over school leaving age.

Check out the working time regulations on www.berr.gov.uk for further info.

Tee

Working those hours, your employer should be decent enough to give you an hour's lunch but by law, 20 mins is ok. Sorry!

jackie m

check with ACAS - www.acas.co.uk it will tell you the legal breaks is 20 minutes paid break for every 6 hours worked

Bombshell

It depends on your state laws. You can google your states name and labor laws, and a PDF file should be available for download. Either that you can call your local labor board. I live in Rhode Island, and by law we are supposed to get a 30 minute and two 15 minutes, thankfully I work for a very big company and they adhire to laws. My old job allowed me one 20 minute break no matter if I worked 8 hours or 12.

kamikaziggy

Often when Im bored at work I will contemplate the length/fairness/legality of my breaks but suddenly then have the urge to treat myself to a cup of English breakfast tea...no sugar and just a splash of semi skimmed milk. Occasionally while its hot I will lightly gargle the infusion around my pallete only to swallow it when its pleasant and most refreshing, noting the taste of the warm liquid along with any highlights in the flavour. Now run along if you've nothing better to do and get your best nurses pinny and name badge on immediately, lock the door as I would like you to serve my needs for the remainder of the day over your desk.

dvco_irish

The law stipulates that for every 4 hours you work ,you are entitled to a minumum of 15 minutes break. Check out www.hse.co.uk for further information.

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