Working hours and break

[sparkedsparkle]

Started a new job. 4 weeks now. They've been giving me half an hour break but I am there for 6 hours a day.

My contract has finally come through and says my entitlement to a break is 20 mins if I am there over 6 hours. But I am there for exactly 6 hours.

Do I sign and tell them I've been having 30 min breaks?
Do I sign and ask for 15 min tea breaks?
Do I sign and say nothing and just work the whole 6 hours without a break?

Say it to them so it can be clarified and sorted.

I would sign the contract and then take whatever break you are instructed to do so by your line manager.
I work a four hour shift and a 5 hour shift, by law not entitled to a break, but my employer, manager and colleagues all expect me to take a coffee break 15 mins on both shifts. Yet my contract states what the law allows.
Sometimes you do get employers and managers which are reasonable and understand that you are human and flexibility/being looked after results in a happier and more productive employee. Iyswim.

Half an hour is ok , why do you think it is an issue?

If they’ve been “giving” you a half hour break, I would just sign and say nothing and continue to have the breaks. But only if you would still be happy to carry on with the job if someone one day said you weren’t allowed it any more and you had to work for 6 hours without a break.

Just sign and carry on with what the manager says to take

I don't understand why you wouldn't just sign it and carry on taking the half hour breaks they've been giving you?

Presumably in case they then try and deduct the half hours OP has been taking to date?

Same OP. I work 8 30 - 5pm with just half hour break. I was shocked when my contract came through.

I'm struggling with it tbh (it's a new job) - I'm having constant headaches because I can't take a sufficient break from the screen and eat / drink / wee / have a quick walk all in one x 30 min break.

😔

Just sign and carry on taking breaks as instructed. I do two six hour days and don’t have an “official break” but I do have a break most days. I think you work better if you are fed and watered. It works both ways though as I am happy to stay on for a bit to help out if it’s been busy.

Unless her contract says any breaks are unpaid, I'm not sure they can do that.

You should be getting a screen break every hour.

@SwedishEdith depends on the job. We don't get screen breaks because technically we aren't staring at the screen constantly
Realistically we are most of the day (call handling) but you can look away while you're talking etc

@SwedishEdith I wish!!

The 20 minute break for over 6 hours worked is the legal requirement

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

Once working hours exceed 6 hours you must be provided with an uninterrupted 29 minute break

Continue as is, unless you do have concerns on the status of paid/unpaid breaks

You get it amended before you sign. You tell them you were told 30min.

You only need to take a break (legally) if you work over 6 hours. I used to work exactly 6 hours a day and did not take a break to fit my work around school hours.

terrible advice
a) they are unlikely to change their standard contract (which is also the legal standard) just for 1 person
b) OP hasn't said she was ever told she'd get 30 minute breaks when she was hired, she's just been told to go on break for that long since she started, that could be an informal arrangement or a mistake by her line manager but doesn't give her any legal standing in relation to her official terms of employment.

I agree with @UnsolicitedOpinions , just sign and carry on as you have been. It's very unlikely they can ever make you pay the breaks back if they ever change their minds because you could always say you thought it was an informal break they were giving you out of goodwill. But they absolutely could turn around and say you're not entitled to it any more.

Have you been clocking in and out or anything? Have you had your first payslip, it might show whether you've been paid for 6 hours a day or 5 and a half.

Sign it your entitled to nothing
my concern would be I would be paid for a 5 1/2 Hour day clear that up