To think this can't be legal ? Unfair treatment ?

[hottodot]

I started a new job at quite a well known company 2 months ago.
I work full time 8 hour shifts daily.
We get a 30 min break and two 15 min breaks.
I'm on the phone all day and calls one after the other.
If my break is at 10.30
And a call comes through at 10.29 I have to take the call and if it finished at 10.40 I would only have 5 mins of break.
If it went passed 10.45 I would loose my break.
Same goes for lunch too.
So I'm missing my break often as I can't put myself on busy I have to be available for calls.
A lot of time I'm only getting 20 min if not shorter lunch.
Is this allowed ?

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/basic-rights-and-contracts/rest-breaks-at-work-overview/

OP.
I have worked in a call centre and they truly are 21st century sweatshops.
However, there are ways around this.

If it really is only 1 minute to your break, just enter the break code in your phone - but, you will need to return from your break 1 minute "early" ie. ensure you only take your allotted break allowance.

More than a minute or 2, as poster upthread suggested, take the call then speak to Team Leader to let them know and is it OK for you to take break now or do they want you to wait until x is back?

Do you have a "comfort break code" ie. code you input if going to toilet? (Oh yes, these are timed).

If so, you could input that for the spare minute - nip to loo quick, return to desk and input tea break code.

It is madness but, unless you have worked in a call centre, you really have no idea how closely staff are monitored.

Speak to some of the "old hands" discretely and, as with any job, they will teach you some of the tricks of the trade - but, don't take the p* - you will be found out.

Good luck.

Hang up when your break starts.

@Wingedharpy yeah we get 15 mins comfort breaks over a 8 hour shift
They are really monitored too
They hate us to be in wrap
They would rather us keep the customer on the phone so it doesn't affect our stats

You're legally entitled to 20 minutes unpaid. They're giving you 30 minutes paid and 30 minutes unpaid. The only thing is if you miss more than 30 minutes of your breaks in a day then you may end up working without pay if they dont correct it, which is illegal.

How often do you miss some of your break?