Walking time to the canteen

[agedknees]

We get a 30 minute lunch break. We have to take it in the canteen as there are no staff facilities where we work.

Walking to the canteen takes 5 min, walking back 5 mins. It takes 5 mins to get served/pay for food so we only get 15 mins to eat our food.

Can we ask for walking time to the canteen? Our department is the furthest from the canteen.

Our 30 min break is unpaid. It is the only break we get in our shift which is 8.30am - 5pm.

You can ask. You're not entitled to it though, 30 minutes unpaid is not generous but it's more than you are legally entitled to already. There's also the issue that if your employer gives you an extra 10 minutes, may then be under pressure to allow an extra 8, 6 and 4 minutes to departments who happen to be nearer.

Take sandwiches.

I don't think this is an unusual set up. I am in a similar situation: 30 mins for lunch, no canteen or staff room so it takes 5 minutes to walk to shops, 5 mins to queue and buy etc. As flowery says, there is no legal entitlement to any more than this but it is worth asking perhaps?

You can always ask but be prepared for disappointment. Is there really nowhere else nearer that you could sit to eat if you brought your own lunch in with you?