How unreasonable am I being - breaks at work

[PoorlyWorkPeople]

Sorry, this us long, but I'd appreciate comments if anyone gets through it!

I support a number of people at work. I've got loads of stuff to do in the background, but also need to pop into their work areas between meetings to sort various bits out.
Since I started there, I've generally taken my lunch before any of them, to allow me their half hour lunch break to get in and out of all areas without disturbing anyone, and shift various things between areas, and deal with queries from any of the team.

About a year ago, the big boss had some health issues. I was asked to be around generally, keep my ear out for issues (his alarms sounding) and if needed take over his meetings temporarily, or close them out and reschedule. This I've done, with occasional issues causing knock on affects on me or with other work, but inconveniences, rather that major issues.

Over Christmas his health has deteriorated. I have been asked to be in ear shot at all times except breaks. I raised concerns about how this work work logistically, but said I would give it a go.
It's been a disaster. I can't do the supplementary bits of my job that, whilst not part of my role, are required for the running of the department, as they involve going out of ear shot. Loads of stuff has been delayed, not happened, or not been upto my usual standard.Tuesday was horrific - the first chance I got to go to the loo was 4.30. "Lunch" was a sandwich stuffed in at 3 30, disturbed by 4 different requests, as his lunch break was filled with everyone else complaining and getting the worst bits resolved.
I have gone back and said the current system isn't working. I need a 15-20 min break where I can eat - potentially heating up soup etc - undisturbed, and get a chance to go to the loo in the middle of the day. And this needs to be not at the scheduled lunch break of boss, as it just doesn't work.

According to the folk doing the risk assessment, and boss, I am being awkward, not caring about their health, and need to make his proposed plan work.

How unreasonable am I being to insist that an alternative to me is found to cover for boss's potential emergencies for 30 mins a day? So that I get an undisturbed break, and a chance to go to the bathroom? I (obviously!) think it's not an unreasonable request. My boss thinks it's outrageous.

IIRC you're entitled to a 20 minute break once you've worked over 6 hours. Are you in a health setting or another type of job where things might logistically not make that possible? Why are you responsible for monitoring your boss' health?

I am Interested to know what your job is OP!

In my job I can go without a proper break for an entire 12.5 hour shift (which is really bad but just accepted in my industry)

If it is effecting you then of course you need to report it

Breaks entitlement is covered by Health and Safety at work legislation. I would expect risk management team to know that. Personally, I would give ACAS a call and ask for moderation if the management are being twats about it.
Your bosses health is between him and OH. His reasonable adjustments can't include you putting your health at risk.

Perfectly reasonable especially as you have experience of the current arrangements not working.

Logistically, I've made it work for 5 years. It's not always easy, and has involved some interesting break times, but I've always been able to pop to the loo.
It's an 8 hour day, so I am entitled to a break.

Thank you for the validation! I've been made to feel like an uncaring bitch today. And called some things that I won't type. I don't think people have seen how much extra I'm doing for him already. IMO, he shouldn't be at work. But that's definitely not my call to make!

If he needs the equivalent of 24/7 care at work then they need to assign that to at least 2 people quite frankly, so that there is always at least one and the others can agree between themselves, 'i just need to pop to the loo/grab a coffee/sandwich, i'll be 10 mins' and that they know also if they need the loo someone else is back in 10. It doesn't work and isn't fair for one person to have to do all their work handcuffed to someone else's medical equipment. Stand your ground!

Also if it's so important to be able to hear his stuff, because he clearly can't deal with whatever it is himself, how come he doesn't need the cover at his lunchtimes/breaks? Something isn't adding up

It sounds like the role you are effectively performing is far more senior that what you are actually paid for? Would that be right?

Go off sick, look for another job. See how they handle things without you

I’m surprised you, or anyone else who has commented with similar, are willing to put up with this. You will never get to a point in life when you look back and think ‘oh I wish I had screwed myself over more for my employer.’ It took me ages to come to this realisation (and I had to be messed around in a serious way first) so I feel for you. The fact you’re posting here should tell you to trust your instincts. This isn’t right.

It's fucking shit, and absolutely normal in the NHS and charity sector.

It's part of why I retired as a physio way before I would have, had things been less fucking draining. On the plus side, my bladder control is second to none.

Leave. You will find something better (by all means look for something before leaving), but thhings only change when people leave and give their real reasos for leaving on their exit interview.

You could also try going to your manager and saying 'this is my last try before I have to leave for my own mental health - I need x, y, and Z, and I know that legislation backs this up, and that I am not being unreasonable.'

they likely won't listen, but at least you tried.

Am I reading this correctly that your employer is making you responsible for the health of your boss?
That's outrageous, nothing to do with you and they legally need to make adjustments for his health condition.

This does not sound normal OP. Please do share your job role or at least department if you can!

Breaks don't involve dropping everything (except his food), so nothing is left unattended. That's the bit I'm required for - covering what he has to leave. So im not responsible for his health, just the work left behind when he has to go deal with his health.

Perceptive, rookiemere.

Once again, thank you for your comments. Gratefully recieved.

Perhaps that person can give up their break time.

Go off sick with a urine infection. This expectation of u is absolutely outrageous and if the rest of the staff agree he needs babysat, they they can all do it on their own breaks.
Start documenting each and every break u take and all the interruptions, timed everything. U might need it all down the line when u take them to a tribuneral.

Honestly I would be getting out my job description and working to rule. Because from what you have said you are taking on responsibility far beyond your remit and now you are being expected to take on the responsibility for a colleagues health as well.

Have you had formal training in how to care for someone with his health conditions? How to use/understand his alarms?

He needs reasonable adjustments. These aren't reasonable for you and they aren't actually what you are being paid for.

If you have a union contact your rep. If you don't then contact ACAS.

So, just an update incase anyone is interested!

I handed in my notice, and started a new job at the beginning of the month. The advert for my old job went out today.... not sure what has been happening so far, as old boss stopped speaking to me, and pretty much isolated me from the rest of the team as soon as my notice went in.
Anyway, the new job certainly is going to be politically interesting, but everyone is lovely. I'm sleeping better (I'd put the 4am can't go back to sleep as peri but I suspect is was (partly) a stress response) and have way more energy on an evening.

Thank you all for your responses at the start of the year.