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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:
octon29472 · 13/01/2022 08:23

I don't understand other peoples views here if it was just during the phrased return period. Doing phrased return is doing less hours but you still get the same pay. OP will doing that but just in a different way/time of the day. I see nothing wrong in this at all and I would not begrudge my bereaved colleague this.

Obviously if you wanted on a permanent basis it would have to be a pay drop.

So sorry for your loss OPThanks

shouldistop · 13/01/2022 08:24

Would you not be better going back for half days at first? Then you can have your walk at lunchtime anyway.
For some reason I feel like colleagues would understand you finishing at say 12.30 more than taking longer for lunch.

FawnFrenchieMum · 13/01/2022 08:25

Is that the only adjustment your thinking of asking for? If so I think it’s really reasonable. Phased returns at my company usually start on 2/3 hours a day and increase each week until back to full time over a 6-8 week period. Most of the people on here would obviously hate those people. I think you just need to be clear with colleagues it’s temporary and there to help you transition back from sick leave.

LIZS · 13/01/2022 08:25

It sounds a reasonable request but others are correct. Full pay during a phased return is discretionary. Dh got it for three weeks but had he worked fewer hours than contracted he would have been paid for reduced working week. He used accrued leave to offset additional time off which .i guess does not apply to your role.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 13/01/2022 08:27

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Maybe it would be better for all if you do a continuous block of time, long enough to cover the other staff being off for lunch, then finish at (say) 2 for the day. Long walk through the woods before going home.
Yes, I think you're right, but that "gives" me an extra 2 hours, rather than the 30 minutes in asking for and which it seems some colleagues would begrudge.

I was trying to find a solution with as little impact as possible. Also, I will have work to do! The more time I'm "out" the harder that will be , which won't help the phased return succeed.

People are getting hung up on pay. Whatever is agreed I'll be on full pay (until my sickpay entitlement runs out).

OP posts:
Dozer · 13/01/2022 08:29

I don’t see many posts implying any ‘hate’.

Some employers pay in full for contracted hours not worked during a phased return, some record the time not worked as sick leave and sick pay rates apply.

user1471504747 · 13/01/2022 08:30

I think it’s a reasonable request OP and couldn’t imagine begrudging a colleague an extra 30 minutes lunch following a bereavement. Seems many of people posting are very petty, hopefully this doesn’t reflect the people at your workplace.

Sorry for your loss Flowers

MoiraNotRuby · 13/01/2022 08:34

I'm sorry for your loss. The thing that leaps out to me, is that you aren't ready to return to work yet. I think the lunch break is a red herring and you probably need more time off completely? Take care of yourself x

Carpetdrought · 13/01/2022 08:34

I would fully support this and tell the rest of the team to put up and shut up and that if they ever needed support I’d accommodate them too.

Elodeastar · 13/01/2022 08:44

Could you ask to working only mornings for a few weeks? I am not sure how the company would view that in terms of pay, but might it be a start to a phased return? Grief is hard and nobody should begrudge you a little leeway, it seems like you are willing to return but need to do it in a manageable way.

EarringsandLipstick · 13/01/2022 08:44

I think it depends on the environment. For some people, as indicated in that replies, this would seem standard.

In my work place, we've a lot of support & leave options for people in your situation & I'd be very supportive of a team member to avail of these as much as needed.

If they came back with this request, I'd find it odd tho. We are quite a flexible workplace so it would seem unnecessary. Also, I would honestly be a bit 😳 at the whole 'woodland walks in nature'. I think you can get fresh air at your usual lunchtime & enjoy woodland walks at weekends.

But ... it's a different environment (also education tho) & also Ireland, and I know from other threads on here that sick leave / rtw is handled quite differently.

scaredsadandstuck · 13/01/2022 08:45

This is a very odd thread. There must be some psychological 'thing' that prizes lunch breaks over working hours. So many saying work fewer hours (plural) rather than have an extra half hour at lunch Confused

OP - just ask for it if you think that's what will help you. It sounds reasonable. I'd certainly give a timeframe for review (4 weeks maybe?). Also if you are really worried about your colleagues view you could email them to explain what's happening (if it's agreed) and why you've asked for it. And point out you think this will help you come back to work sooner. They can grumble for a bit but at the end of the day your T&Cs allow for this sort of thing and of they were in a similar situation they could ask for the same.

EarringsandLipstick · 13/01/2022 08:45

@Elodeastar

Could you ask to working only mornings for a few weeks? I am not sure how the company would view that in terms of pay, but might it be a start to a phased return? Grief is hard and nobody should begrudge you a little leeway, it seems like you are willing to return but need to do it in a manageable way.
That sounds like a good idea. This seems to be an easier request to facilitate.
shorttwoshot · 13/01/2022 08:55

How long have you been off sick? Offender, sickness policies state that phased returns are permitted after a certain length of absence, it's usually 3 months. It might be worth checking the policy if you can access it?

If you've been off less than 3 months, then your employer may expect you to make up the time. Before you approach them, maybe think about how you could make up the time if you had to - for example, during the school holidays maybe, when things are quieter and you're feeling better?

I think it's a perfectly reasonable suggestion and a good idea. Ultimately, your employer would rather see you back at work and taking responsibility for your own health and recovery- which is what you're doing. Good luck Daffodil

piney07 · 13/01/2022 08:57

@scaredsadandstuck I think it’s because the longer lunch break requires a long explanation about woodland walks etc whereas just needing half days as you have a phased return is much more sensible and sounds less high maintenance.

Original poster
FreshandLively · 13/01/2022 09:00

@shorttwoshot

How long have you been off sick? Offender, sickness policies state that phased returns are permitted after a certain length of absence, it's usually 3 months. It might be worth checking the policy if you can access it?

If you've been off less than 3 months, then your employer may expect you to make up the time. Before you approach them, maybe think about how you could make up the time if you had to - for example, during the school holidays maybe, when things are quieter and you're feeling better?

I think it's a perfectly reasonable suggestion and a good idea. Ultimately, your employer would rather see you back at work and taking responsibility for your own health and recovery- which is what you're doing. Good luck Daffodil

My employer will be absolutely fine. I'm in touch with my boss and she's keen to do "whatever you need". It's the responsibility eof colleagues that concerns me and with good cause it ses if some of the people here were my colleagues. There's no "criteria" for a phased return, it's based on need/agreement. The "off" part counts as sick leave and is paid as such.
OP posts:
Original poster
FreshandLively · 13/01/2022 09:01

*responsibility? Response

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 13/01/2022 09:02

I think its a perfectly reasonable request OP and i would agree to it if it helped you to return to the workplace.
I dont understand why colleagues would be annoyed at you getting and extra 30 minutes break for the short term, surely its to their benefit to have you back rather than having to cover any work whilst your off.

shiningstar2 · 13/01/2022 09:04

I think it is perfectly reasonable request on a phased return with a clear agreement for how long this is for. Two weeks? A month? You could also factor in phasing it out. For example two weeks long lunches all week then two weeks Monday Wednesday and Friday. Of course colleagues who are not on a phased return can't have the same but life is tricky and throws curve balls sometimes. Who knows if any one of them might need a phased return in the future. I would not being up the subject of payment. I would leave that to my boss to bring up.

shiningstar2 · 13/01/2022 09:07

You may need longer at each stage than discussed in my last post. That was just an example. 😃

rainbowandglitter · 13/01/2022 09:10

Could you not add in the extra half hour before you normally start in the morning or stay late to make it up? You'd still be working the hours you're meant to but with the longer break you want in the middle.

KiloWhat · 13/01/2022 09:12

I think @FawnDrench has a good idea, make it clear your aim will be to reduce these breaks to fit in with your normal working pattern. Also think of other potential solutions, a pp suggested finishing a bit earlier. Or have two 15 minute breaks in the rest of the day.

Kitkat151 · 13/01/2022 09:13

@FreshandLively

I'm only talking about short term while I recover.
I did a 6 week phased return.....I didn’t use any of my leave.....there was no expectation of this......I started on 2 days hours and very very gradually worked up to full time on week 7 ..... although I got my full pay all the time.....my manager was very supportive and so were occupational health.... don’t feel guilty about taking a phased return ( although many on here seem to think it’s taking the piss🙄) ...... I’m NHS
Original poster
FreshandLively · 13/01/2022 09:13

@rainbowandglitter

Could you not add in the extra half hour before you normally start in the morning or stay late to make it up? You'd still be working the hours you're meant to but with the longer break you want in the middle.
I could, but it's better for you to get out in the middle of the day whole the sun us higher. Why does it make such a difference? Obviously it does, from the responses here, but it's interesting to think about why that is.
OP posts:
Original poster
FreshandLively · 13/01/2022 09:14

Sorry I misread that. A longer working day would be a strange phased return

OP posts:
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