To think that if you work 10-4?

[Lelly97]

That you should get a lunch break?

I don’t think you are legally entitled to one. I sometimes do and sometimes don’t but I have to love start or finish time to do it .

PP is right, the legal entitlement for a break only starts if you work over 6 hours.

Legally you aren’t entitled to any breaks at all for working 6 hours.

“Workers have the right to one uninterrupted 20 minute rest break during their working day, if they work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break” from gov.uk

YABU although it would be nice if they did offer one

You're entitled to a 15 min break but not a "lunch" break.

I find it mental that legally you can be entitled to or not entitled to a break. LEGALLY !!

No you're not entitled to a lunch break. I used to do shifts like that but I'd just get so hangry!

You're not entitled to a 15 mins break no break at all

That would be the ideal but not required. I used to do this shift and did get 20 mins which was enough for a sandwich etc.

Presumably it's not a role where you can eat while you work?

What do you mean?

You are in Ireland. Not sure where OP works, she never stated.

I mean, no, but if you did you’d lose 30 minutes of pay as lunch breaks are rarely paid time.

Technically you're not entitled but it's the norm to give a 15-20 min tea break. All you do instead is "go to the toilet" around lunch time and quickly stuff a sandwich on your way there 😄 everyone takes unofficial breaks.

So you would rather employers could force their staff to work fulltime with no breaks?

I sometimes work 6 hour shifts. My employer gives us the option to work en extra half an hour at either end of the shift to accommodate a break if we want. Is that something you could ask for?

Most places will accommodate a lunch break for those hours if you require it but plenty of people opt for six hours shifts because they don’t need a break and usually lunch breaks are unpaid.

Why would that be mental? Being legally entitled is a minimum bottom line, it ensures that people over a certain threshold get treated appropriately at work. Nothing is legally stopping employers from giving their employees a break on 6 hour or less shifts.

My employer wouldn't let me work that shift WITHOUT a break - as how could that be fully productive? But when i work e.g. 9 - 3, that then is 5.5 hours, not 6.

Our company allows you to start half an hour earlier so you can have a 30 minute unpaid break in the middle and still work 6 paid hours.

Huh?
Legal protections are there to set some basic employment standards. I dont understand your point.

Why? Do you not think workers should have any legal rights? 🤯

Legally in a six hour shift you don't get a break. But would it possible for you to work 9:30 - 4 for example, and take half hour unpaid lunch if you feel you really need a break.

@DaniMontyRae I mean more that they can deny you a break legally. That's insane. Everyone should be entitled to a break even if they work 6 hours.

Sorry guys I worded that wrong. I find it mental that legally you can be denied a break based on the hours you work

Legally, It used to be 4 hrs and you would get a break, it’s now over a 6 hr shift to get a 20minutes break. Which is difficult as if you’re working 10-4 you are missing lunchtime and will get hungry.