Breaks

[MariaS123]

Hello everyone. Could someone explain the rules around breaks and compensatory rest to me? I work in a healthcare role 2 nights a week from 11pm to 9am. I work alone so can’t take a break. I have read the regulations and I think I should get a compensatory rest break. What does this mean? There is no time in shift for me to take the break at a later time. Thank you.

Are there any points where you can take shorter breaks that add up to the legal 20 minutes? Your employer should be making sure you are able to take some sort of break if working that amount of hours

Thanks for your reply. There really is no room for breaks, as I am solely responsible for caring for the individual I am assigned to, and couldn’t (and wouldn’t!) leave them to have a break. I understand this and it is covered in the regulations. A friend mentioned to me I should be getting compensatory rest and on reading this seems to be the case, I just can’t find a definitive answer as to what this actually is or when I can take it!

But you would still need a point during the shift to take the compensatory rest. It supposed to be taken soon after you were supposed to have a break. What does your contract say about breaks? They can't expect you to never have a break ever

All it says are that I work x hours per week excluding breaks. That’s the only reference to breaks.

Off topic slightly do you not even get toilet breaks?!
I think your employer needs to find a way to give you cover for 20 mins min

I can always manage to get to the toilet, but having 20 minutes away without any sort of cover wouldn’t be possible. I’ve always just taken this as normal practice but maybe it isn’t, this is interesting. Thank you both for your replies.

Are they asleep when you are there? Do you need to be by their side always? Can you be away for smaller breaks e.g. 4x5mins?