To think a 20 minute break isn’t enough?

[internallyrebellious]

I work in catering/hospitality but have done a lot of retail and in all of them it’s always been standard for a 20 minute unpaid break in a 6hr shift.

My current employer is really good about making sure that we always get our breaks so we can have a rest and something to eat, which I am very grateful for but I’m increasingly finding that 20 minutes just isn’t long enough!

I always bring in my own lunch but by the time I’ve gathered my things, sat down, eaten my food and been to the loo I’m rushing to get back in time. I know a full lunch hour wouldn’t work for us as a business but I feel like 30 minutes would be more reasonable. Under 18’s do get half an hour and as an increasingly achy 40 something I wish we got the same! Or aibu and 20 minutes is plenty?

Offer to start or finish 10 mins before or after and ask if you can take a half hour break

Standard if you work in a school!

Legally you're only required to have a break if you work over 6 hours. Working a 6 hour shift wouldn't usually warrant a break so I'd take what you can get

Totally standard. I used to do 12+ hour days with a 15 minute break in hospitality. You just get on with it

I get 30 minutes as a teacher and think it’s a push. We used to get 45 minutes which was much better.

To be fair when I used to work these shifts in a pub while at uni I would never take in a full on meal, I’d just take a sandwich or a snack really so a 6 hour shift say 9am-3pm I’d have a big breakfast beforehand, a sandwich in my break & then eat dinner earlier afterwards. It’s not long enough to sit and comfortably have a sandwich, crisps, yoghurt, chocolate bar etc

@5speckledfrogs12my shifts are usually 8-9hrs and I sometimes start very early so I can’t normally eat before work

@ForTealBeeoh I’m well aware! I used to do the same, 12-14hr shifts with sometimes just enough time to scoff some chips or have a sandwich, not even an ‘official’ break. I did get on with it at the time but it’s one of many many reasons why I’m not a professional chef anymore!

It’s not ling enough if you’re working 8-9 hours. Is it your only break?

OP says she works 6 hours

20 minutes in 6 hours doesn't sound like a lot to me me but presumably you still get comfort breaks so you don't need to go to the loo in your 20 mins?!

Many years ago I worked in a job centre and though entitled to an hour, my interview caseload for many months was horrendous and I found even 30mins not enough to wind down from a very stressful job and eat a full lunch so I just survived on fruit and cereal bars at work but made sure I’d had breakfast at least. Sometimes you do just have to unfortunately adapt to the situation. These days I have a completely different job and on my wfh days cook myself a hot lunch and having experienced lunch lows, I can tell you I’m very appreciative indeed for my precious break time!

@Eldermilleniallyogii I said that you get a 20 minute break after 6hrs, not that I only work 6hrs. That’s the legal position and what my contract states, you are only eligible for a break if you work 6hrs or more.

I do get toilet breaks whenever necessary as I have a medical condition.

Yes it is my only break. Often it’s interrupted if we get busy or if someone needs help with something.

That’s a bit crap that you get interrupted on your break, although I know of some workplaces where it happens.

In my opinion, if you can’t leave the premises, then it’s not actually a break. How do you get to work? If you drive then I’d take myself to my car.

I agree OP especially when your job obviously involves being on your feet for that 6 hours !! People dismissing you , probably have opportunity sit down on their arses at work.

I work 6 hours and we get 15 min break. I would appreciate another 5 mins 😂

If im correct in my understanding then Legally if your break is interrupted then you are allowed to start your break again (as in the full break)

I had a job where I wasn't allowed a break at all! Not even for a quick fag. And my days were usually 11.5 hours.
Another more reasonable place gave two 15 minutes paid breaks over a 7.5 hour shift. One morning,one afternoon. Then you could take up to an hour unpaid at lunch.
I'd say your arrangement doesn't sound madly unreasonable. But you could ask to just make up the time at the start of end of the shift if you need half an hour.

@BleachedJumperI walk to and from work and spend the whole shift (other than break) on my feet so I really appreciate the opportunity to sit down!

Of course 20 minutes from 6 hours is a shit short break and it should be longer. Anyone who says different is a jobs worth. Just because it was shit for them in the 18th century, doesn’t mean we should continue to be happy with the status quo. It’s not a race to the bottom.

Yanbu. I work from home and a half hour isn’t long enough, I often take longer because by the time I have made something and eaten it, it’s easily over half hour.

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

For anyone interested this is the actual law surrounding break entitlement.

@Calamitousnessthis is exactly why I bring my own food, I am allowed to make myself food at work but if I did I wouldn’t actually have time to eat it too 😂

When it's a physical job and your on your feet I agree that 20 mins isn't long enough to eat and rest. I work 12.5hr shifts, we get a 15 min tea break and 30 min lunch and even that's a push. My last job, lunch was 45 mins which was much much better.

@BowTiesPinkTailI didn’t know that about 11hrs between shifts! At my previous job I sometimes had to work until 9pm and then get back in work for 6am the next day!