too long a working day with too small a break?

[bananaandcustard]

Does anyone think a work shift of 9-6 with a 30 min break is too difficult?
very physical and mentally stressful job.

[Vixxfacee]

Are you allowed to take 5 mins breaks for cigarettes etc?

[lampygirl]

I work 8.30-6 with a30 min break and I find it fine. The company know we are meant to have 45 mins in that time and we all chose together that as long as people didn't take the mickey then pausing for a cuppa and a biscuit etc a couple of times a day is the norm.

I think it depends on the company attitude.

[dementedpixie]

It's more than the minimum the law states. You are entitled to 20 minutes if working over 6 hours

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

I used to do 12 hour shifts with a half hour break. It was in a pub so on my feet all day.

I think it depends on whether you are able to take five minutes here and there tbh.

[bananaandcustard]

aware that legally is ok.

No, we cant take 5 mins off, unless we need the loo.

a random cup of tea and biscuit sounds heavenly but wont happen unless its in our 1/2hr break.

[clam]

"Are you allowed to take 5 mins breaks for cigarettes etc?"

What?! Is this a thing? Some people are allowed extra breaks to facilitate a choice to smoke? Are non-smokers allowed similar time off?

[Boysclothes]

Clam are you seriously asking if fag breaks are a thing? Where have you been for the last sixty years?

OP, I work 8-6 with 30 min break, stressful job, I find it fine. But can grab tea etc as needed.

[Artandco]

I think that's ok. It's enough time sit down and eat something, have a drink, rest feet and toilet quick.

An hours break would just mean working later or earlier to accommodate.

[DaveMinion]

I also work 8-6 with a 30 min break. Some days it's 8-7.30 still 30 min break. Nights are 9.15-7.45 with 30 min break. I work for the NHS.

[TheBunnyOfDoom]

Sounds appropriate to me. I get thirty minutes paid in any shift under 10 hours. If it's 10 hours or over, I get 30 minutes (unpaid) and 15 minutes (paid).

As long as you can go to the toilet/have a drink on you, I don't see an issue. And I do a physical job on my feet all day, with lots of heavy lifting.

[hellsbellsmelons]

What?! Is this a thing? Some people are allowed extra breaks to facilitate a choice to smoke? Are non-smokers allowed similar time off?

Of course they can.
Well they can here.
Sometimes people head outside with the smoker for a bit of 'fresh' air and a chat.
Others have a quick walk around the building. Loads of people vape and they all do it outside.

I don't smoke in working hours to be honest.
Before the start of the day - lunch break - and then one when I get home!

[bananaandcustard]

oh, we can have access to water. and if short staffed have to ask and get cover for quick trip to the loo , which to be fair doesnt happen that often.

[EatDessertFirst]

We work 9-12 hour shifts (pub kitchen) and while we don't have official sit-down breaks, we do have regular quiet periods when we can have tea, smoke, eat etc. Going to the toilet isn't counted in this as we have a hot, physical job and drink water constantly. My team all work on this principle and it has worked well for the five years we have worked together as everyone is on the same page. PP above was correct, 20 minutes (paid) in shifts over six hours is the norm. But I imagine you could take longer as long as it is unpaid.

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

I work from 8am through to 7pm, I'm a nurse.

If I get 30 minutes at lunch, and 10 minutes late afternoon, I see myself as lucky. Also very very physically demanding. No morning break at all.

[TheGashlycrumbTinies]

Who, forgot to add, of course it's unpaid.

[clam]

"Clam are you seriously asking if fag breaks are a thing?"

Yes, I am. I don't smoke, I don't know anyone who smokes and I work in an environment (school) where smoking is forbidden on or around the premises. Do people really expect to be able to nip out at regular intervals for a fag, whilst being paid to work, whilst their non-smoking colleagues carry on grafting?

[Sallystyle]

I work a 12.5 hour shift with two 30 minutes breaks. One unpaid.

8 hours gets a 20 min break.

It's a very physically hard job. I am grateful we actually get our breaks when so many other HCP's don't.

[Ifiwasabadger]

I work in an industry where 12-14 days are the norm, no breaks, no time to take one, lunch eaten on the run between meetings etc.

And clam, yes the smokers drive me mental! In our office, by the time you've queued at the lift, got in lift, got out, smoked, queued for lift again, come up in lift, it's a 20 minute bloody break!

[Jibberjabberjooo]

I'm a nurse and work 13 hour shifts. I get a 30 minute lunch break, I'm rarely able to take another break.

[LilyDaisyPoppyRose]

I work 10 hours with no break

[Lozza1990]

I used to work 7 hours with a 20 minute break, it is hard! Are they quite understaffed where you work?

From my experience, people would take 5 minute fag breaks to replace their 20 minute one, so I don't see a problem.

[CPtart]

I'm a practice nurse who works those hours 9-6 with one 30 minute break. However, if patients turn up late (frequent), extras are squeezed into clinic (frequent) or they turn up with extra problems which cause me to run over (frequent), that 30 mins can easily become 15-20 minutes.
I often wonder how safe I am nearing the end of a busy day whilst giving baby vaccinations and other procedures that need significant concentration.

[blobbityblob]

I think long shifts are fine if you are working 12 hour shifts 3 times a week.

9am to 6pm Monday to Friday - dh used to do this. If it's 5 days a week it's just quite tedious - you feel a bit imprisoned. It's perfectly doable though.

[yorkshapudding]

I don't think that sounds too bad to be honest. I currently work 8-4 (never actually leave at 4) with a 30 min (unpaid) lunch break but never manage to take it, I just eat a sandwhich at my desk which, rightly or wrongly, I think is the norm in lots of workplaces.

[Vixxfacee]

I work 9-5 and I am entitled to 1 hour.

Smoker colleagues go outside once an hour for a cigarette and then back in.