Don't get lunch break

[User5432100]

I've name changed for this.

I'm in a predicament and need some advice from others on what they would do in this situation.
I know I am extremely lucky to have a job and everything but I am literally heading for a breakdown at the moment.
Been in my current job just over a year now and in that time it has gradually got worse and worse. Started off great but now I'm literally dead on my feet. It is a physically and mentally taxing job and I very rarely get a break, which I don't mind but the issue is I am never given back that time, expected to stay much later than my shift and not paid for it.
I am expected to do the bulk of the work whilst the boss doesnt even do half of it, yet customers are always saying how busy the boss is and how hard they work.
I am made to feel like I am a burden by asking for holiday or time off for childcare/appointments etc.

I have been given the opportunity to go self employed but it means starting from scratch And it is taking a huge gamble but if it pays off it will be worth it.

So my question is would you take the gamble?
I've looked in to universal credit whilst I get on my feet which will help our mortgage etc.
But I'm absolutely terrified of heading in my notice if I go ahead with the idea and feel sick thinking about it.

Why are you “extremely lucky “ to have a job?

Stop minding that you don’t get a break and speak up to your manager that this is happening - does your job need to be covered for your break ?

my manager complains to anyone who will listen huffing and puffing about having to crawl out their hideaway and sit where I am when I have lunch. Huff away. They look so bloody stupid it’s unreal

In my last role, we did not stop for lunch, it was back to back call 8:30am till 5pm. Then we used to have to do 1 or 2..... hours after finish everyday, the boss was so deluded that we weren't doing anything but answer calls (at start of day we'd get mandated to do admin and debt chasing on top, as if we wouldn't be answering call after call and then get chastised for the latter being left) it was grim.

It was horrid having to eat whilst caller was simply on hold whilst you looked up there details, often I went home with a sandwich to throw away as had become inedible. In the end I really think it might have contributed why I got infection after infection in the job until one just broke me. It's not a way to work.

Seriously feel there needs to be laws brought in for companies who think you should just work through continuously. Anyone working through lunch gets my empathy.

If the venture falls through, then you are always able to get a job with a better company who gets what lunch means.