No break during work hours

29 replies

amele · 27/02/2025 09:06

I just wanted to know if this is normal practice.

Before I had my child I was full time so I got the 1 hour unpaid lunch, i went part time after I returned from maternity. so I work 9-3pm. Initially I thought I would get half an hour lunch, but unfortunately I get no lunch break at all, I can take breaks here and there when I need to (anyone can do that regardless of how many hours you work) but sometimes when I'm drowned in work, it isn't something I'm able to do. Having a fixed break would be better.
People thT are FT are working til 5.30, so only 2.5 hours more than me

Is this normal? Or have I been a fool to not mention anything

OP posts:

DorothyStorm · 27/02/2025 19:18

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 27/02/2025 09:33

I noticed this the other day in Costa. The rotas were up and the poor girls were getting shit breaks

One has been there since 5.30am. It was 11.30 and she looked exhausted. No break for her tho.

Working life has definitely not improved!

When I was in retail we had 15Min tea break both am and pm and an hour lunch This was in the late 80's.

We are going backwards.

Yes when i worked retail in the nineties and early naughties, if you worked 6 hours you got 30 minute break. 15 mins of it was unpaid. Full time was hour for lunch and two breaks.

TY78910 · 27/02/2025 19:23

amele · 27/02/2025 16:58

Yes so bc of childcare reasons, I decided on the hours 9-3pm, my employer approved it. At the time I didn't realise I wouldn't get atleast 20-30mins break.

I could request to start work earlier or finish work at 3.30pm, I collect my child from nursery for 4pm, so couldn't work til 4pm.

But I wonder if it won't be approved if they know I'm only doing it to get my break in?

My colleagues lunch breaks are unpaid.

So is it legally work more than 6 hours or 7 hours to get a break?

OP by law you don't need a break if you work anything up to 6h. After 6h, you will need a break however this will not be paid (in most businesses and sounds like in yours too based on your colleagues getting unpaid lunches).

For example

If your colleague works 9-6 that is a 9 hour day but an 8 hour shift based on that one hour being an unpaid break.

You are allowed a break. But you will need to stay later or start earlier to make up the time as you are contracted to work the 6.

CantHoldMeDown · 27/02/2025 19:33

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

DetectiveSleuth · 27/02/2025 19:40

No good advice but it’s such a crap law. Six hours is a really long time to work without a break 😢

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