To not take my lunch break at a set time?

[PoesyCherish]

My contract specifies my working hours are 9-5 and I have 30 mins unpaid for lunch. I have noticed that everyone, regardless of what time they start having lunch or what their contracted start and finish time is, is always back to work by 1 pm. When I questioned this with a colleague I was told lunch break is 12:30 until 1 and if you can't take it then, then tough. For example if you have a meeting that overruns until 12:40, you still have to be back at your desk for 1.

I like going for a walk and occasionally I've left at 12:45 and come back for 13:15. AIBU to think this is fine and to say nuts to the 12:30 until 13:00 "rule"?

Just clear it with your boss for the sake of harmony.

I never see the point of creating conflict and flouting rules just because you can.

That’s weird. As long as you’re not customer facing why does it matter?

Why rely on what a colleague says? Just ask your line manager if you care that much. Personally, unless this was made clear to me by my manager, I would keep doing what I was doing.

Have you asked your boss? Surely it's up to them!

There's different rules wherever I've worked. Generally someone had to remain in the office. Usually, it's been any time between 12 and 2.

Unpaid lunch? Nope, no way would I be doing work that I'm not getting paid for (barring a very small number of lovely companies where there's fair give & take). Talk to your boss about it.

If your lunch is unpaid then you’re entitled to the full 30 minutes! Even if their official policy is everyone goes at the same time, if you’re in a meeting so go late, you should still get 30 minutes because you’re not being paid for that time so they don’t get to cut it short.

I work in a call centre so our lunches are scheduled to be spread out to make sure there’s always enough people answering the phone. If I’m scheduled for lunch at 12.30 but I’m stuck on a call so can’t go until 12.40, I still get my full hour. Our lunches are scheduled to allow for this as it’s inevitable especially during busy periods that people can’t go for lunch at exactly the scheduled because they’re dealing with a call they took before the scheduled lunch time.

I dont understand why you wouldnt ask your boss. Then you will know for sure

We can give you a hundred different responses but the person you need to ask is your boss.

I haven't asked my boss because I'm currently going down the route of "nobody officially told me and it's not written down anywhere so..."

I'm not just "flouting rules just because I can". I just genuinely don't see the point of having my lunch at a set time when I'm often not hungry at that point or I'm busy doing something.

TO me it would be dependent on if you are either customer facing, or all have to work together in some way (like on a production line where it wouldn't work if the 3rd person along the line worked different hours).
No, I wouldn't ask either. If you were doing it wrong, then the boss will mention it to you. No point stirring up issues where there aren't any.
If it is a job where you are paid for the hours worked, rather than 'the project completed' type thing then you should only work the hours you are paid for.
In truth you probably work better / are more productive in the afternoons if you have gone for a walk at lunchtime, than those like me stuffing sarnies down in a 10mins break at their desk.

^I haven't asked my boss because I'm currently going down the route of "nobody officially told me and it's not written down anywhere so..."*

Okaaaayyy

If you are new to the company that is a fairly risky approach. Making connections and winning the good will of your colleagues is vital.

You’re presumably on probation? In a few months your boss will probably be discussing you with all the people you are currently potentially annoying.

First impressions are pretty important.

I’d clear it with the boss.

@BackforGood not customer facing or on a production line. I work in an office where my work isn't dependent on the others and vice versa (in the sense that it doesn't make much difference if we are there at exactly the same time, in fact some come in for 7 and leave at 3, others come in at 10:30 and leave at 18:30).

@NonaGrey I can't see how being on probation has anything to do with it? Also can't see how it could piss off my colleagues considering 4 times out of 5 I walk with some of them.

Also can't see how it could piss off my colleagues considering 4 times out of 5 I walk with some of them.

I’m confused then OP A’s wasn’t the whole point if this thread that your colleagues told you not to do it and that everyone had to be back by 1pm?

If everyone doesn’t in fact have to be back by th n and you all go walking together what’s the issue?

So it sounds like everyone is on some sort of flexible time approach, so your other colleague is clearly mistaken. Carry on as you (and many of your colleagues) are doing.

Why take one person's word if it seems not to be the case from what you've seen. Ask your other colleagues.

In my office we get 1 hour unpaid lunch which can be taken anytime between 12:00 - 14:00

Surely there must be a flexi policy somewhere? Just ask for a copy of it.

I think you need to bring it up with your boss during a 1:1. FWIW I have never worked at a job with a fixed lunch break. We just take our breaks whenever we like. It’s not customer facing so what’s the point of everyone taking 12.30-13.00.

AIBU to think this is fine and to say nuts to the 12:30 until 13:00 "rule"?

I think you need to find out what the official rule is on lunch breaks before you start making your own decisions about what is and is not acceptable.

Surely the law us you have to take at least 30 mins for lunch so if you don't start it til 12 40 you shouldn't go back til 1310.