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AIBU?

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Manager insisting I take lunch

234 replies

Shanna8 · 26/06/2024 11:43

Hi, I would really appreciate some advice. I am PA to the CEO of a large organisation. I work in a solo capacity, no team or colleagues to have lunch with. This suits me fine. Our canteen is very busy, noisy and full of fellow co-workers who lunch together every day e.g. Finance colleagues sit at one table, HR colleagues sit at another table etc. The CEO sits with other Executive members. It's a bit clicky tbh ... but not having someone to have lunch with does not bother me in the slightest. I take lunch in my office, which I prefer. I tend to eat while working as I'm very busy and would prefer to work through and get home at a reasonable time. My Manager (CEO) has raised this with me on 3 occasions in recent weeks i.e. you really need to start taking lunch, you should not be working while having lunch etc. Yesterday she made another comment and I now feel pressurised and upset. I have told her previously (jokingly) that I have an aversion to the canteen, that I cannot stand it! There are other "solo" workers who also take lunch in their office and yet they are not being targeted. I could approach one of these colleagues for company at lunch time but I don't want to do this. It will result in me being tied to this arrangement every day, having to go to lunch when I don't want to/have something urgent on. There is no-where else to go for lunch except my car. I feel upset and resentful that I will be forced to sit in my car every day when I would prefer to keep working. I am now wondering why my Manager is insisting on this? Is it a duty of care / HR issue? Is she fearful I will take sick leave and cite being over-worked with no breaks? Is there any solution? Should I talk to her? AIBU???

OP posts:
ODFOx · 26/06/2024 11:51

There's a statutory 20 minute break if you work for 6 hoursor more and it must not be taken at the end of the 6 hours.
So you shouldn't be missing the break and you can't offset it to leave early I'm afraid.

TheBlackCatWithTheWhiteSpot · 26/06/2024 11:51

Some industries require workers to physically log they are taking a break after 6 hours. You are supposed to take a break.
It sounds like it is the working while eating lunch rather than being in the office that’s the problem.
Can you remain in the office and just move away from your desk?

NeedthatFridayfeeling · 26/06/2024 11:49

It's duty of care. I'm also a PA and have been told in the past i need to go for a wander to have a break. It's nice they are noticing and looking out for us.

LoobyDoop2 · 26/06/2024 11:49

You may not be on the same grade or salary as them, but as PA to the CEO you are part of the Executive team. What would happen if you went to sit with them at lunchtime?

tommika · 26/06/2024 11:49

It is duty of care and also a legal requirement to have a break.
Having lunch at your desk may be less of an issue as you’ve stated that you would rather work through and leave earlier

www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

Februaryfeels · 26/06/2024 11:48

YABU.

She is right to insist. You should be having breaks away from your desk

It's also highly unprofessional to be sitting eating at your desk while you're working.

Why do you feel upset?

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 26/06/2024 11:47

There is a legal requirement for employers to give employees a 30min break if they are working for 6 hours or more. So your boss is acting appropriately in asking you to take a lunch break.

If you don't want to go to the canteen, could you eat in your office and read a book rather than working?

Also, if you are a PA - does your office function as a sort of front door to the CEO's office? Do people see you eating lunch when they come for a meeting with the CEO? If so, maybe it's this that is the problem..

blobby10 · 26/06/2024 11:46

No formal advice but for your health you really should be away from your desk/area of work for at least half an hour around lunchtime! I can't believe how much better I feel going for a 20 minute walk at lunchtime instead of sitting at my desk browsing the internet.

Overtheatlantic · 26/06/2024 11:45

Duty of care I would imagine. You should be leaving your desk though, getting some fresh air?

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