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Original poster

Asking for an extended lunch break

97 replies

FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 12:58

I am currently on sick leave after a bereavement. I thought in was doing OK for six months and then in the run up to Christmas everything came crashing down.

I'm due back next week and have a meeting with my (very reasonable and supportive) boss to discuss a phased return.

The thing that has helped me most during my time off is getting out for a decent walk every day. Time with nature, fresh air and exercise and I think most importantly, time for reflection. I spend a lot of it taking to myself, almost being my own counsellor.

I work on the business side in a large school. Senior post. I have a 30 min unpaid lunch break which I rarely take in common with all the other admin staff.

I was thinking about asking for an hour, as part of the phased return, so I can get out during daylight. There are woods about 10 mins from school so I can have a really nice walk in an hour, but barely make it there and back in half an hour.

  • As it's a phased return would you expect to be paid for it or take the additional 30 mins unpaid? Or to have to do a longer day to make it up?

-Is it a reasonable request? My workload can easily be managed around it but many of my team wouldn't be able to do the same. Reception staff for example and none of the classroom based staff. How would you feel if your boss was going of for a long lunch break when you couldn't?

I'm almost sure boss would agree, but don't want to cause bad feeling with the team.

OP posts:
FelicityBob · 11/01/2022 12:59

I think it sounds lovely for you, but unfair on your colleagues

HasaDigaEebowai · 11/01/2022 13:01

If you’re reducing your pay proportionately I’d think that was fine

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:02

I'm only talking about short term while I recover.

OP posts:
Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:02

In the same way that a phased return might sometimes be mornings only or three days pw to begin with

OP posts:
HasaDigaEebowai · 11/01/2022 13:04

But that comes with reduced pay in most workplaces

HasaDigaEebowai · 11/01/2022 13:05

There is no general legal right to full pay whilst on a phased return. Some organisations might do it but it’s not a legal requirement

Foreverlexicon · 11/01/2022 13:05

You’ve got to do what’s best for you. If it would help, I would request it.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:06

@HasaDigaEebowai

But that comes with reduced pay in most workplaces
Not on a short term rtw. The time off would be considered sick leave and paid, assuming you haven't used your sick pay entitlement.
OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 11/01/2022 13:06

Could you work an extra half hour at the beginning or end of the day?

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:07

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

Could you work an extra half hour at the beginning or end of the day?
I could but I don't think going back to a longer day is going to help me
OP posts:
dementedpixie · 11/01/2022 13:07

Do you not only get paid for the hours you do on a phased return?

HasaDigaEebowai · 11/01/2022 13:08

Not on a short term rtw. The time off would be considered sick leave and paid, assuming you haven't used your sick pay entitlement.

That isn’t correct. It’s my job. Your workplace might have particular rules that say they will pay you but that’s not a general legal principle

Viviennemary · 11/01/2022 13:10

Maybe you need to consider asking for reduced hours and take a pay cut.

NinaProudman2022 · 11/01/2022 13:14

It sounds perfectly reasonable.

When I came back on a phased return I did half days but my work made me take annual leave for the half days I wasn’t working (for the two week period of my phased return).

But if the additional half hour lunch is the only adjustment for your phased return I imagine your work would see this as more than reasonable (if its just for two weeks they may or may not allow this without expecting you to work longer at the end of the day).

If it is agreed I would maybe ask her to let your colleagues know so their is no ill feeling, unwanted comments or misunderstandings.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:15

OK, then the terms of my contract are that the "off" part of a phased return is sick leave. It's my job too, in this actual organisation Grin

I'm sure my boss would be supportive, but as I suspected my colleagues are going to take issue with me getting something they can't Sad even though the alternative could be for me to have another 3 months paid leave.

OP posts:
JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 11/01/2022 13:15

Many other people will work in an environment where they don't get good sick pay and will answer accordingly.

As someone who used to work in education, I think that's a perfectly reasonable short term solution. I wouldn't resent anyone doing this, especially as the alternative is likely to be more time off sick.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:16

TBH I don't really feel ready to go back, but fear the longer I leave it the harder it will be.

OP posts:
JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 11/01/2022 13:17

It must be really difficult. Hopefully a conversation with your manager will help you find the best way forward.

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 11/01/2022 13:25

We have the option to use annual leave for a phased return, or it can count towards your sickness absence (for the purpose of when you'd exhaust your occupational sick pay).

A request like this would be treated exactly the same as other dropped hours during the phased return.

The idea of the phased return is to rehabilitate you into work without damaging your recovery. It sounds like a good idea if this works for you.

theemmadilemma · 11/01/2022 13:27

Surely your colleagues would be aware this is part of a phased return? In which case only a dick would have an issue with it. Sane people would be glad you were back nearly full time.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 11/01/2022 13:28

@theemmadilemma

Surely your colleagues would be aware this is part of a phased return? In which case only a dick would have an issue with it. Sane people would be glad you were back nearly full time.
That's what I was hoping, but initial responses here suggested otherwise.
OP posts:
Mabelface · 11/01/2022 13:33

I don't see the issue if it's part of your phased return. You're not asking for this long term. I'm phasing back in after 4 months off and get full pay as long as I'm doing 60% of my hours. It's not the business of any of my colleagues.

LetTheBirdsSing · 11/01/2022 13:35

I think it’s a great idea and if you were my colleague I’d be fully supportive and glad to have you back. Getting out in the fresh air will hopefully continue to help you and also help your employer/colleagues by facilitating you returning to work earlier than you might otherwise feel able. It wouldn’t occur to me to feel envious.

Sorry for your loss Flowers I hope that your return to work goes well.

ABCDEF1234 · 11/01/2022 13:37

Perfectly reasonable request and beneficial the your employer if it allows you to return earlier

MaizeAmaze · 11/01/2022 13:50

Could you phase the return to keep the 30 min lunch, but leave a little bit earlier to catch some daylight. In a months time, it might be light enough for you to work full hours and walk.
I know it would probably involve less work hours, but it's probably more acceptable.

I'm sure you've thought this through but I usually take my lunch stupid early or stupid late to allow me to catch the people who are otherwise in a classroom. If you are out for all of lunch will that make parts of your job harder?