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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Missed 3 hours of lunch break

366 replies

ThereIsNoLeftFalangie · 21/11/2019 05:48

AIBU to feel quite pissed off that I've missed out on 3 hours of my lunch break.
Work in a school, have been on quite a few trips for the last term. On trips the children get 30 mins lunch with staff eating alongside and supervising. Normally at school staff will get an hour lunch which is not paid. I don't mind missing out 30mins on the odd trip but it's taking the micky when im owed 2 hours. We're all expected to do things out of goodwill but thoses favours are never reciprocated by management. If they had to pay me for all the times I've worked passed my finish time they'd be in for a shock. Should I mention the 3 hours im owed?

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 21/11/2019 05:55

I wouldn’t, you’ll be ‘that person’.

Starlight456 · 21/11/2019 05:56

Haha . You really don’t work with children for the breaks.

Liverbird77 · 21/11/2019 05:59

This must be a joke.
Also, there is no "finish time" for teachers. It is a salaried job, not paid by the hour.
I suggest you change career.

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/11/2019 06:04

I’m not sure op is a teacher. I was thinking ta. But yes, you’ll be seen as that person.

blackteaplease · 21/11/2019 06:05

It's not clear, are you a teacher or TA? If you are a TA you have more scope to request that time in lieu or payment for your time but if you are a teacher I think this is part and parcel of being a teacher. There are occasions when, for the childrens benefit you give up your time. I'm not saying that it's right, nor that your school should be taking advantage but how do you expect them to give you that time back? You are on a salary so there is no overtime and if you work to rule and refuse to do trips for this reason the children miss out.

BustedDreams · 21/11/2019 06:08

I was a a civil servant. I routinely worked an extra couple of hours each day. Had to if you wanted to stay on top of workload. Did it for the vocation rather than it ever being reciprocal. YABU.

Ivebeentohellanditscalledikea · 21/11/2019 06:08

Haha don't do it you will be "that person". The school I work at has cut all CA lunches down to 30mins as they don't want to pay for lunch cover anymore.

Sirzy · 21/11/2019 06:11

If you work in a school and have only had to work through 3 hours of your “break” this term then I think your doing pretty well

Raver84 · 21/11/2019 06:13

This must be a joke. I've never worked in any job where missing the odd break is something people moan about. It's part of working life

Cupcakegirl13 · 21/11/2019 06:14

3 hours of missed lunch breaks is nothing ! This has to be a joke ? !!

LadyRenoir · 21/11/2019 06:18

So what do you say if teachers who go on residential trips and miss an entire week, evenings and weekends included?

newyearoldme · 21/11/2019 06:19

I'd be surprised if OP was a teacher with that spelling and grammar, not to mention the entirely unrealistic work expectations.

LadyRenoir · 21/11/2019 06:19

I suggest in future just funny go on trips and just keep your hour lunch at school.

MelissaCortezsPastry · 21/11/2019 06:21

Sadly it is part and parcel of the job. TA/LSA contracts used to allow an hour for lunch, most new contracts are 30 minutes but the school itself is on break for 1 hour meaning there are caring duties over lunch time instead. So helping to feed a child or monitoring a child in the playground whilst their 121 LSA has their lunch.

Residential trips see LSAs earn below minimum wage for the duration of the trip.

There is usually a hierarchy is primary schools where the LSAs are seen as much less than the teachers. You can ask the other LSAs to see what their take on it is but with funding being what it is in schools it will no doubt be a no you cannot claim it back.

SunshineCake · 21/11/2019 06:21

OP probably won't post after these responses Hmm

circleorsquare · 21/11/2019 06:21

Are you a teacher or TA?
As a teacher I never get a lunch break!! It's how it is.
If you are a TA then it's a bit different, I always give my TAs time off in lieu if they have been on trips to make up their time. I know many schools don't though!

user1483387154 · 21/11/2019 06:27

you would be laughed out of the room if you said that at any of the schools I've worked at.

BoomBoomsCousin · 21/11/2019 06:28

If you're paid hourly and your lunch is normally an unpaid rest break but on trips you are getting no break and no pay then you should definitely get that sorted out. If it's in your contract that you get paid for extra hours then you could just ask whoever does payroll when you can expect to see your additional hours and take it from there. It may be that they haven't really realised they aren't complying because it's always been done this way, teachers don't get extra so they didn't think about hourly workers and no one's pointed it out before. There's probably someone in the school who is actually interested in compliance. It can be really expensive for them if they get caught breaking employment law.

I think you can call ACAS for advice. Are you in a union? You could talk to them too.

Alternatively, I believe, you can keep detailed notes and then apply for it all after you leave. But if you go with this plan, check that's true with a lawyer first!

Bezalelle · 21/11/2019 06:30

Why are people so keen to accept shitty work conditions? Of course OP deserves breaks.

Speak to your union rep if you have one. If you don't have one, think about becoming one.

BoomBoomsCousin · 21/11/2019 06:31

Residential trips see LSAs earn below minimum wage for the duration of the trip.

This is illegal and schools that do this could find themselves in trouble if a TA gets savvy to it and puts in a complaint. Especially if it's part of a coercive culture and not just an oversight.

BoomBoomsCousin · 21/11/2019 06:34

Haha don't do it you will be "that person". The school I work at has cut all CA lunches down to 30mins as they don't want to pay for lunch cover anymore.

The OP's lunches are unpaid if they were cut to 30 minutes then at least she'd be getting another half hour of pay than she currently is.

converseandjeans · 21/11/2019 06:34

Assume you're not a teacher?! That's just part of going on a trip. If I take a trip abroad there's no such thing as a break let alone a lunch break.
I think they would be surprised if you asked to be paid extra for this. Maybe it's not right but it's just part of the job surely?

twolittleboysonetiredmum · 21/11/2019 06:34

I’m a teacher and never get a lunch but that’s how our job is.
Our TAs regularly do trips with us and like a previous poster - I try to give them time back eg if we’re doing something I can not need them for an hour or so the next day/week whatever.
I’ve never heard of a TA asking to be paid for going on trips. It wouldn’t happen in our school, you just wouldn’t be sent if it was a problem. Just point out you’re unhappy and they’ll send someone else.

Marnie76 · 21/11/2019 06:45

Do many people take an hour for lunch? I don’t know anyone that does. I also don’t know anyone that does get paid for lunch so not sure about that point either. You missed a few breaks, unless it’s every day and you don’t even get time to grab something to eat then YABU. This is normal (in schools and out).

c75kp0r · 21/11/2019 06:47

How, practically would you get a break in the context of a school trip unless you can have a 30 min timeout on the bus or train bit where you are not called on to deal with anything and can have your sandwiches ?

legally you are entitled to a break after 6 hours work so if the trip is less than that could you just take your break before or after the trip?

Or just not go and get a days work done instead

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