My boss wants to stop teabreaks. Is this allowed?

Question

I work 8 hours a day 4 in the morning then have an unpaid lunch hour then 4 hours in the afternoon, we currently have a 15 minute break am and pm but my boss has now said that hes gonna stop our breaks as the building is not tidy enough. Is he allowed to do this as it seems very unfair? (uk answers only please)

Answer 1

If I remember rightly!Paid morning and afternoon teabreaks were introduced during World War II.Saying that,you are allowed by law an unpaid mid day break!

Answer 2

no it is the law to have a break at work but if he/she wants to break the law let him/her

Answer 3

im sure that if u work over 6 hours your entitled to a short break as well as your lunc break. and thats the law

hope he doesnt stop them........ good luck!!

Answer 4

Nope ,kick him in the balls

Answer 5

No. You are entitled to tea breaks. I think he /she could maybe cut the time down to 2 10 minute breaks  but that is all. You are entitled to your human rights.

Answer 6

You legally have to have a brak every 4 hours afaik. He doesnt have to give you a break if you work 4 hours. It would just be nice if he did.

Unless the law has changed since i last heard that.

Answer 7

Of course he can't...and what the h**l are you still doing there??

Answer 8

Yes he can, In British employment law you are entitled to a break after 6 hours work.

Answer 9

I'm sorry to say that you are actually only legally allowed a break after six hours of work.  So, while you aren't paid for it, the unpaid lunch hour does contribute to the break.

Breaks do not have to be paid.

I suspect that what your boss is really trying to tell you is that if you keep the place a bit cleaner and tidier, he hasn't got a problem.  Have you thought about negotiation?

He can't stop all of your breaks but from what you are saying, I think that he can stop some of them - but I would think that rather than moaning about it, you would be better off talking to him and finding a solution.

Answer 10

Yes unfortunately he is allowed to do this. You are entitled to a break of at least 20 minutes (it can be paid or unpaid) if you work for more than 6 hours. He is giving you this break as your lunch break.

If he wants to take your tea breaks from you he can, but a better way to appease staff would be to reduce the lunch time to 40 minutes and give 2 x 10 minute breaks instead.

I work 7 hours 24 minutes a day (37 hours a week) and get 1 x 30 minute unpaid lunch a day, no breaks.

Answer 11

Under health and safety laws, you must have a minimum 20 minute break after working 6 hours.

You are working 4 hours, then having a break, then working another 4 hours.

So there are no laws broken in what your employer is doing.

So he is well within the rights to do what he his doing.

Answer 12

no, by law your break entitlement is what you have, contact your union, if not in one join one,or contact citizens advice. good luck  

Answer 13

Where do you work Fiona?

Butlins?

Answer 14

nope - you are entitled to breaks.  If you work at a computer you are entitled to 5 minutes break per hour worked (or thereabouts) so by law you have to have your breaks

Answer 15

No he can't.

Answer 16

I would file a complaint with the employment officials, and find another position. When applying for another job--Do not talk about this problem. Just say it wasn't a good fit.And good luck. You have rights--protect them.

Answer 17

Read your terms of contract....... i don't have them so how would i know?

Answer 18

After every 4 hours of work you are entitled to a 15 minute break. Unless you work on a computer you have to have a 5 minute break every hour. So legally yes he would be entitled to stop your break if you are only working 4 hours.