Lunch Break Woes!

[ICanEatWhat]

Evening all,

Looking for some advice! I've just started a new temporary job where in the interview was told my hours would be 8-4:30 with an hours lunch break, they were very firm on the hour break as I asked (always been half hour in previous jobs!)

Problem is I've now been the job almost a week and not a single person there takes an hours break. Not only that they sit at their desks to eat and usually continue working throughout. I've always been the kind of person to get some fresh air so have been going out for half an hour at lunch but any longer feels awkward as if I'm taking the mick!

I did pay attention to see if anyone left half hour earlier to compensate for lunch but to my dismay most people seem to be there well beyond 4:30. I've felt bad breezing out the door at 4:30 as if I'm getting away with something!

So I'm essentially working an extra half hour for free everyday. I wouldn't mind if I got to go at 4! As a temp I'm paid by the hour and contracted for 37.5hrs a week. I'm about to do my first time sheet. I really don't want to put an hour in for lunch but if I put down my actual lunches of half hour over the week my total hours would then be 40 which they may refuse to pay!

I'm going to talk to my line manager about it but having worked in the Public Sector my entire career until now I didn't know if this is normal in a private sector culture?! Should I just say sod it and disappear for an hour at lunch?

Any advice?

It's likely that the other people are salaried and permanent, whereby it's a frequent occurrence to work extra hours. Having said that, my current company has a much nicer culture and most people leave on time and take a break during the day.

As a temp, I'd just do the others you are paid to do. So what if eyebrows are raised. If anyone actually says anything, just point out you are working the hours you've been employed to.

I normally work through lunch and leave a bit later. That goes with the territory. I want to offer value for money, show commitment and get the job done. In the private sector if you want promotion or even job security then this us the norm. Mind you I am extremely well paid, so no complaints from me.

You think you need to inform them that you are working your contractes hours?

I work in a job where most dont take their lunch or leave the office at least. I am the most senior person in our office. I am constantly telling people to go get their lunch. But i cant force 200 people to do it. Some sit at their desks and browse the internet.

I take my lunch most days. I do work over, but thats because i get paid well and salaried and it expected that i get the work done. On a quiet week, i work less.

If someone came to tell me that they were taking their lunch and leaving on time, i would think it was odd. Especially if paid per hour. Because thats what we pay them to do.

Empress - no, I very much doubt I would apply for the perm job when it comes up. I took a pay cut purely to get some specific experience in an area needed for step up the career ladder. I suppose I shouldn't care as much whether they frown at me taking the full hour as I'm not planning to stay but it's ingrained in me to want to please, do a good job and be liked!

Bruce - it is odd to tell my manager, I agree. I just find it strange that I was expressly told an hour in interview. I even said at the time that I was only used to half hour for lunch and she replied that they were "unfortunately made to take an hour". Obviously that's not that case so I feel like I'd have to at least mention it, even only for the fact that she will be signing off my time sheets before submitting to agency

She meant they're made to take an hour unpaid.

she replied that they were "unfortunately made to take an hour".

As pp said, she meant they are not paid for that hour. Not that they are forced to leave their desk for an hour. If people choose not go or leave their desk. They still dont get paid for that hour.

People who are permanent are probably at their desk on lunch actually online or whatever and just answer the odd email /call if it comes in so it looks like they're working. Plus they're probably bored of the area around the office so just stay inside.

I'd take the hour op and get some fresh air, you're not paid.

OP I'm not sure why you have had such harsh replies!

Are the others permanent? If so they may be working through lunch and staying late to hit their productivity targets (for a pay rise or bonus) or maybe building time up to take in lieu? So not leaving early but a day off here and there? I can't see an office full of temps working for nothing for the goodness of their hearts.

Is there another worker there that you can have a quiet word with about this? Failing that I would speak to the manager and clarify?

As far as I'm aware I'm the only temp, however I remember having a chat with the receptionist before my interview so told me she had just been taken on as permanent after temping so may have a chat with her.

Wounded
Both of my dcs work in local hospital and work overtime. They are paid for every minute of overtime. One is band 4, other band 6 but are told if you need to work over contracted hours to claim - the money is available. Both been promoted recently.

Thing is are you really working for the whole of your working hours? Do you go to the loo when you like? Get a cup of tea? Never ever look at anything online? Take a personal call?

I thinj people expect flexibility themselves and arent will to give an inch in the other direction.

That said in your position id just take an hour for lunch. I already do often take an hour (accountant) but i often work free overtime. But my pay reflects that.