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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if you work 10-4?

129 replies

Lelly97 · 22/10/2024 20:18

That you should get a lunch break?

OP posts:
Preppingpenguin · 22/10/2024 20:51

A 6 hour shift doesn't need a break. I'm pretty sure if you worked 6 hour shifts Monday - Friday, it's classed as part time.

Edit to add, if it's a manual labour job then as others have said, a 15/20 minutes would be beneficial however any office based or administrative roles it isn't necessary.

Sleepysleepycoffeecoffee · 22/10/2024 20:50

It would be nice to have a break, maybe 30 minutes but I wouldn’t expect to be paid for it. Also, it depends on the job - what is it? For example if I were doing something physical I’d need a break in that time but if I was sat down most of the time and not doing anything too taxing, I’d be ok without a break

Mayaamelia · 22/10/2024 20:46

Definitely not unreasonable, where I work it’s 15 minutes for a 5 hour shift, 1/2 for 6 hours +. Some people do just choose to have a 15 min one though.
You deffo need to eat something in 6 hours! Doesn’t mean you’re more hardworking if you don’t lol

Completelyjo · 22/10/2024 20:45

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:43

Sorry guys I worded that wrong. I find it mental that legally you can be denied a break based on the hours you work

I really don’t understand how that is mental. Why should an employee be legally obliged to allow a break during a 3 or 4 hour stint?

2chocolateoranges · 22/10/2024 20:43

Legally, It used to be 4 hrs and you would get a break, it’s now over a 6 hr shift to get a 20minutes break. Which is difficult as if you’re working 10-4 you are missing lunchtime and will get hungry.

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:43

Sorry guys I worded that wrong. I find it mental that legally you can be denied a break based on the hours you work

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:42

@DaniMontyRae I mean more that they can deny you a break legally. That's insane. Everyone should be entitled to a break even if they work 6 hours.

Invisimamma · 22/10/2024 20:42

Legally in a six hour shift you don't get a break. But would it possible for you to work 9:30 - 4 for example, and take half hour unpaid lunch if you feel you really need a break.

AttendanceNightmares · 22/10/2024 20:40

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

Why? Do you not think workers should have any legal rights? 🤯

SweetSakura · 22/10/2024 20:38

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

Huh?
Legal protections are there to set some basic employment standards. I dont understand your point.

waltzingparrot · 22/10/2024 20:36

Our company allows you to start half an hour earlier so you can have a 30 minute unpaid break in the middle and still work 6 paid hours.

WickerMam · 22/10/2024 20:33

My employer wouldn't let me work that shift WITHOUT a break - as how could that be fully productive? But when i work e.g. 9 - 3, that then is 5.5 hours, not 6.

Completelyjo · 22/10/2024 20:32

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

Why would that be mental? Being legally entitled is a minimum bottom line, it ensures that people over a certain threshold get treated appropriately at work. Nothing is legally stopping employers from giving their employees a break on 6 hour or less shifts.

FuzzyGoblin · 22/10/2024 20:31

Most places will accommodate a lunch break for those hours if you require it but plenty of people opt for six hours shifts because they don’t need a break and usually lunch breaks are unpaid.

marriednotdead · 22/10/2024 20:29

I sometimes work 6 hour shifts. My employer gives us the option to work en extra half an hour at either end of the shift to accommodate a break if we want. Is that something you could ask for?

DaniMontyRae · 22/10/2024 20:29

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

So you would rather employers could force their staff to work fulltime with no breaks?

Itsmahoneybaloney · 22/10/2024 20:28

Technically you're not entitled but it's the norm to give a 15-20 min tea break. All you do instead is "go to the toilet" around lunch time and quickly stuff a sandwich on your way there 😄 everyone takes unofficial breaks.

TeenLifeMum · 22/10/2024 20:28

I mean, no, but if you did you’d lose 30 minutes of pay as lunch breaks are rarely paid time.

Rickrolypoly · 22/10/2024 20:26

cannynotsay · 22/10/2024 20:25

You're not entitled to a 15 mins break no break at all

You are in Ireland. Not sure where OP works, she never stated.

Pandasnacks · 22/10/2024 20:26

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

What do you mean?

IKnowAristotle · 22/10/2024 20:25

That would be the ideal but not required. I used to do this shift and did get 20 mins which was enough for a sandwich etc.

Presumably it's not a role where you can eat while you work?

cannynotsay · 22/10/2024 20:25

You're not entitled to a 15 mins break no break at all

Justwantosay · 22/10/2024 20:24

No you're not entitled to a lunch break. I used to do shifts like that but I'd just get so hangry!

IAKnowyou · 22/10/2024 20:24

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

Rickrolypoly · 22/10/2024 20:24

You're entitled to a 15 min break but not a "lunch" break.