Not allowed a break despite working 6.5 hours today

[MsAdoraBelleDearheartVonLipwig]

I help out in a shop. I’ve posted on here recently about their shenanigans.

I get in at 9:45am on a Sunday to get the shop ready. We open at 10am. We close at 4pm. We clear up and leave at 4:15pm. Apparently we’re not supposed to have a break. Despite the law saying I’m entitled to a 20 minute break if working more than six hours.

Before I say anything could someone please confirm whether I’m right or not? Have I misinterpreted the law?

Are you contracted 10-4 or 9.45-4 .15?

Thanks for answering. 9:45-4:15.

Why would you want a break? Yes, technically you should have one if you work over 6 hours, but it would be unpaid, so if you have a 30 min break, you'll be at work for the same amount of time, but paid 30 mins less.

If you really want it, yes you should have it but ime, people working those kind of hours prefer not to.

I don't know, perhaps to eat lunch like most normal people do?

As far as I know that’s the law.

They changed my mums shift in Asda so it was 15 mins shorter so they wouldn’t have to give her a break! Damn cheek.

You just wonder what’s wrong with people that they think it’s ok for staff to be on their feet or stuck at a till with a sore back for fecking hours with no break.

If you’ve been there under two years you have fewer rights so they may sack you to avoid having a troublemaker there…. Although you could presumably go for constructive dismissal. Im not a lawyer btw.

https://www.acas.org.uk/rest-breaks

Yes, youre entitled to a 20 minute break if working over 6 hours. It can be paid or unpaid

Yes, I wanted a quick break to eat a sandwich. I’m on my feet all day and it takes me an hours round trip to commute so that’s rather a long day without something to eat.

I just wanted a bit of extra confirmation before I say anything.

*Edit - I don’t care if it’s unpaid, I just need ten minutes to myself to wolf down a sandwich!

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

I don’t intend on getting the sack over a lunch break, I just wanted to be able to point out that technically they may be breaking the law if they insist I work those hours without a break.

I’m already looking for other work anyway. They’re a shitshow of a company to work for recently.

The break doesn't need to be in the middle of the shift. If 6 hours is reasonable without a break, id do the extra half hour rather than have a half hour less play everyday.

I always offer a break to my people working slightly over 6 hours. They never want it.

Yes, legally they have to give you a twenty minute break, paid or unpaid.

Dear employer, I’d like to inform you that I need to take a 15 minute lunch break at a time to suit you between 12pm-2pm for health reasons. Please let me know what time would be suitable. Thank you.

Can you not just eat a good breakfast, pack your sandwiches for after work. And eat something discreet during work like a breakfast bar?

Over 5 hours, 15 mind, over 6 hours, 20 mins.
Get them told

They should be obliged to give breaks.

Well done for complying with your legal obligations, have a cookie.

The OP does want a break and she is legally entitled to one.

Well yes of course, I can do that. I’d still need a quick break to eat the breakfast bar though, food and drink on the shop floor is a big no no.

Wrong the break can not be at the start or end of a shift.

I would take myself off for a break mid shift, I'd tell not ask. I don't appreciate being seen as a pushover or enable employers to break the law. 🤓 If they wanted a robot they should hire one.

I work 6hrs a day and get a half hour break unpaid, so I’m there 6 and a half hours.

There’s not a law for 5hrs, it’s over 6hrs only

Same. I’m quite happy for it to be unpaid, it’s not about the money. I need a sit down!

You are entitled to a break and any good employer would insist on you taking one.

All the people saying to work through it have clearly never worked in retail. The OP can't grab a sandwich at her desk and has to stand constantly. She might not even get a chance to use a toilet or drink in that time either.

I work for the council and on a Saturday I work 10-4 with 30 minutes for lunch. I would find it a long day without a lunch break as I’m on my feet and we cannot have food or drink when working. It also takes me an hour to get to work so that break at 12.30/1pm is much needed!