ANNOUNCEMENT : ALL OF ROYAL MAIL'S EMPLOYMENT POLICIES (AGREEMENTS) AT A GLANCE (Updated 2021)... HERE

ANNOUNCEMENT : PLEASE BE AWARE WE ARE NOT ON FACEBOOK AT ALL!

WHATS THE MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN END DUTY AND START OF S.A?

Got a question for a CWU Rep? And all CWU related matters.
pop it in pete
Posts: 351
Joined: 09 Jun 2007, 23:03
Location: lazy town

WHATS THE MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN END DUTY AND START OF S.A?

Post by pop it in pete »

Hi anyone out there know if there is a minimum break that has to be taken from the end of your duty and a the start of a S.A.
These new start times have have raised some serious concerns over breaks. Particularly regarding driving duties. My D.O.M has given us the line that its a separate contract and so is like having a part time job. But i am sure as you are working for the same company they have a duty of care for all employees including those on S.A. So whats the line taken in your office?
oxon
Posts: 114
Joined: 25 Jun 2007, 16:18
Location: oxford

Post by oxon »

Over all in 24 hrs , 10 hrs break
andy2007
Posts: 3971
Joined: 14 Sep 2007, 10:16
Gender: Male
Location: Earth

Re: WHATS THE MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN END DUTY AND START OF S.

Post by andy2007 »

pop it in pete wrote:Hi anyone out there know if there is a minimum break that has to be taken from the end of your duty and a the start of a S.A.
These new start times have have raised some serious concerns over breaks. Particularly regarding driving duties. My D.O.M has given us the line that its a separate contract and so is like having a part time job. But i am sure as you are working for the same company they have a duty of care for all employees including those on S.A. So whats the line taken in your office?
He's talking rubbish. Employment law states that you MUST have the minimum break. It makes no difference if you are on a seperate contract, or even working for a seperate company.

Although if anyone does have a second job with another company, and doesn't have the required break. It is a debatable point, wether it is the employee or employer who is breaking the law. Because the employer could claim that they didn't know that you hadn't had the correct break between shifts.
Don't knock Insanity
it's just another outlook on Reality!
Paul Turnbull
MAIL CENTRES/PROCESSING
Posts: 16
Joined: 04 Oct 2007, 00:28

Post by Paul Turnbull »

An SA can be performed as soon as a your duty ends.

There are laws regarding breaks but there is no legal entitlement to paid breaks and SAs do not attract paid meal reliefs(bar sunday SAs).

SAs are voluntary and if they are at unsuitable times you need to speak to your rep.
Jimi
Posts: 42
Joined: 03 Jun 2007, 16:17

Re: WHATS THE MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN END DUTY AND START OF S.

Post by Jimi »

[quote="pop it in pete"]Hi anyone out there know if there is a minimum break that has to be taken from the end of your duty and a the start of a S.A.
These new start times have have raised some serious concerns over breaks. Particularly regarding driving duties. My D.O.M has given us the line that its a separate contract and so is like having a part time job. But i am sure as you are working for the same company they have a duty of care for all employees including those on S.A. So whats the line taken in your office?[/quote]

Are you talking about SA that starts straight after your duty if so I think you are entitled to 20 mins on 4 hours unpaid, when you take this is not clear.

If you are talking about the minimum daily break its 11 hours as stated in the working time regulations.

Hope this helps
pop it in pete
Posts: 351
Joined: 09 Jun 2007, 23:03
Location: lazy town

Re: WHATS THE MINIMUM BREAK BETWEEN END DUTY AND START OF S.

Post by pop it in pete »

Are you talking about SA that starts straight after your duty if so I think you are entitled to 20 mins on 4 hours unpaid, when you take this is not clear.

If you are talking about the minimum daily break its 11 hours as stated in the working time regulations.

Hope this helps[/quote]
Yes a S.A that starts right after your duty. Should you have a minimum break before you take up the S.A. I know to will be unpaid but what bothers us is that our S.A. are too close to our duty finish times now and come Xmas when we run into overtime we will clash duty times with S.A. times with no defined break inbetwen. So are we entittled to claim one on H&S grounds.
Jimi
Posts: 42
Joined: 03 Jun 2007, 16:17

Post by Jimi »

This is from the working time directive

If a worker is required to work for more than six hours at a stretch, he or she is entitled to a rest break of 20 minutes.
The break should be taken during the six-hour period and not at the beginning or end of it. The exact time the breaks are taken is up to the employer to decide.
Employers must make sure that workers can take their rest.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If your duty was 0600 to 1400 with 4 hours SA on the end it would all depend when your last meal break was, but if it was getting close to the 6 hour mark between the end of it and when you start your SA I would see your rep and ask him to talk to your Dom about it and try to arrange a break at the end of your duty at 1400.