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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think a 20 minute break isn’t enough?

30 replies

internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 20:17

I work in catering/hospitality but have done a lot of retail and in all of them it’s always been standard for a 20 minute unpaid break in a 6hr shift.

My current employer is really good about making sure that we always get our breaks so we can have a rest and something to eat, which I am very grateful for but I’m increasingly finding that 20 minutes just isn’t long enough!

I always bring in my own lunch but by the time I’ve gathered my things, sat down, eaten my food and been to the loo I’m rushing to get back in time. I know a full lunch hour wouldn’t work for us as a business but I feel like 30 minutes would be more reasonable. Under 18’s do get half an hour and as an increasingly achy 40 something I wish we got the same! Or aibu and 20 minutes is plenty?

OP posts:
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Suns1nE · 01/04/2025 19:33

I think unless you’re in an office the whole ‘lunch hour’ idea isn’t the reality. I work as train crew and our breaks are very erratic and often not when you’d even be needi by or wanting to eat. We do benefit from strict rules about the lengths of our breaks according to our shift length but they are still often rushed as the allotted “walking time” to get from the train to the break room doesn’t account for passengers and delays and enquiries.

LillylollyAndy · 01/04/2025 19:25

If I had to work 6 hours with only a 20 minute break I’d definitely collapse.
slightly different I volunteer and we get a 10-15 minute break per hour.
find a new job

Bert2e · 01/04/2025 19:22

Velmy · 31/03/2025 21:56

I've never worked anywhere with less than an hour's lunch break, usually more. Anything less than an hour seems absolutely crazy!

I'll say it again, try working in a school. 25 min lunch break. 5 mins lost as at least one pupil needs to be spoken to after a lesson, a wee and walk to the staffroom is another 5 mins. Need to be at lineups 5 mins before the next lesson starts leaving a grand total of 10 mins for lunch. 7 mins if you subtract the 3 mins the microwave takes to heat lunch.

Velmy · 31/03/2025 21:56

I've never worked anywhere with less than an hour's lunch break, usually more. Anything less than an hour seems absolutely crazy!

Sandandsea123 · 31/03/2025 21:39

I work in hospitality. I work 10+hours a shift. We’re meant to get 20 mins break but realistically, we don’t get it.

Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 21:13

@BowTiesPinkTailI didn’t know that about 11hrs between shifts! At my previous job I sometimes had to work until 9pm and then get back in work for 6am the next day!

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Ap42 · 31/03/2025 21:10

When it's a physical job and your on your feet I agree that 20 mins isn't long enough to eat and rest. I work 12.5hr shifts, we get a 15 min tea break and 30 min lunch and even that's a push. My last job, lunch was 45 mins which was much much better.

Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 21:10

@Calamitousnessthis is exactly why I bring my own food, I am allowed to make myself food at work but if I did I wouldn’t actually have time to eat it too 😂

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Calamitousness · 31/03/2025 21:08

Yanbu. I work from home and a half hour isn’t long enough, I often take longer because by the time I have made something and eaten it, it’s easily over half hour.

Blackbookofsmiles1 · 31/03/2025 21:07

Of course 20 minutes from 6 hours is a shit short break and it should be longer. Anyone who says different is a jobs worth. Just because it was shit for them in the 18th century, doesn’t mean we should continue to be happy with the status quo. It’s not a race to the bottom.

Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 21:07

@BleachedJumperI walk to and from work and spend the whole shift (other than break) on my feet so I really appreciate the opportunity to sit down!

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BobbyBiscuits · 31/03/2025 21:04

I had a job where I wasn't allowed a break at all! Not even for a quick fag. And my days were usually 11.5 hours.
Another more reasonable place gave two 15 minutes paid breaks over a 7.5 hour shift. One morning,one afternoon. Then you could take up to an hour unpaid at lunch.
I'd say your arrangement doesn't sound madly unreasonable. But you could ask to just make up the time at the start of end of the shift if you need half an hour.

BowTiesPinkTail · 31/03/2025 21:02

internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 20:52

Yes it is my only break. Often it’s interrupted if we get busy or if someone needs help with something.

Show quote history

If im correct in my understanding then Legally if your break is interrupted then you are allowed to start your break again (as in the full break)

BowTiesPinkTail · 31/03/2025 21:00

I work 6 hours and we get 15 min break. I would appreciate another 5 mins 😂

Ozmel61 · 31/03/2025 20:56

I agree OP especially when your job obviously involves being on your feet for that 6 hours !! People dismissing you , probably have opportunity sit down on their arses at work.

BleachedJumper · 31/03/2025 20:56

That’s a bit crap that you get interrupted on your break, although I know of some workplaces where it happens.

In my opinion, if you can’t leave the premises, then it’s not actually a break. How do you get to work? If you drive then I’d take myself to my car.

Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 20:52

yeesh · 31/03/2025 20:45

It’s not ling enough if you’re working 8-9 hours. Is it your only break?

Yes it is my only break. Often it’s interrupted if we get busy or if someone needs help with something.

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Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 20:50

@Eldermilleniallyogii I said that you get a 20 minute break after 6hrs, not that I only work 6hrs. That’s the legal position and what my contract states, you are only eligible for a break if you work 6hrs or more.

I do get toilet breaks whenever necessary as I have a medical condition.

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MoominMai · 31/03/2025 20:49

Mrsttcno1 · 31/03/2025 20:29

To be fair when I used to work these shifts in a pub while at uni I would never take in a full on meal, I’d just take a sandwich or a snack really so a 6 hour shift say 9am-3pm I’d have a big breakfast beforehand, a sandwich in my break & then eat dinner earlier afterwards. It’s not long enough to sit and comfortably have a sandwich, crisps, yoghurt, chocolate bar etc

Many years ago I worked in a job centre and though entitled to an hour, my interview caseload for many months was horrendous and I found even 30mins not enough to wind down from a very stressful job and eat a full lunch so I just survived on fruit and cereal bars at work but made sure I’d had breakfast at least. Sometimes you do just have to unfortunately adapt to the situation. These days I have a completely different job and on my wfh days cook myself a hot lunch and having experienced lunch lows, I can tell you I’m very appreciative indeed for my precious break time!

Eldermilleniallyogii · 31/03/2025 20:47

20 minutes in 6 hours doesn't sound like a lot to me me but presumably you still get comfort breaks so you don't need to go to the loo in your 20 mins?!

Eldermilleniallyogii · 31/03/2025 20:46

yeesh · 31/03/2025 20:45

It’s not ling enough if you’re working 8-9 hours. Is it your only break?

OP says she works 6 hours

yeesh · 31/03/2025 20:45

It’s not ling enough if you’re working 8-9 hours. Is it your only break?

Original poster
internallyrebellious · 31/03/2025 20:42

@5speckledfrogs12my shifts are usually 8-9hrs and I sometimes start very early so I can’t normally eat before work

@ForTealBeeoh I’m well aware! I used to do the same, 12-14hr shifts with sometimes just enough time to scoff some chips or have a sandwich, not even an ‘official’ break. I did get on with it at the time but it’s one of many many reasons why I’m not a professional chef anymore!

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Mrsttcno1 · 31/03/2025 20:29

To be fair when I used to work these shifts in a pub while at uni I would never take in a full on meal, I’d just take a sandwich or a snack really so a 6 hour shift say 9am-3pm I’d have a big breakfast beforehand, a sandwich in my break & then eat dinner earlier afterwards. It’s not long enough to sit and comfortably have a sandwich, crisps, yoghurt, chocolate bar etc