“ Employers can say when employees take rest breaks during work time as long as:
the break is taken in one go somewhere in the middle of the day (not at the beginning or end)”
https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/taking-breaks
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How strict are you meal breaks?
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claretandblue
- Posts: 877
- Joined: 01 Aug 2007, 12:14
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
We have 20 at the end, it's up to us when we have the rest.
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A2B
- Posts: 1802
- Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 19:34
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
RM's meal break rules are so vague and I'd guess in certain cases must be breaking some rules.
People eating and drinking in their van is hardly taking a break away from the workplace.
Don't even start about the lack of toilet facilities while out on delivery, probably not a postie out there who hasn't been busting for the toilet in the middle of nowhere
People eating and drinking in their van is hardly taking a break away from the workplace.
Don't even start about the lack of toilet facilities while out on delivery, probably not a postie out there who hasn't been busting for the toilet in the middle of nowhere
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SMS1969
- Posts: 963
- Joined: 28 Jun 2021, 11:36
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Same at ours.claretandblue wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026, 18:03We have 20 at the end, it's up to us when we have the rest.
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qwerty2
- Posts: 1919
- Joined: 30 Jun 2009, 00:42
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Go back to the office - it’s their problemA2B wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026, 18:07RM's meal break rules are so vague and I'd guess in certain cases must be breaking some rules.
People eating and drinking in their van is hardly taking a break away from the workplace.
Don't even start about the lack of toilet facilities while out on delivery, probably not a postie out there who hasn't been busting for the toilet in the middle of nowhere![]()
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A2B
- Posts: 1802
- Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 19:34
- Gender: Male
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moonjaguar
- Posts: 115
- Joined: 06 Apr 2019, 19:11
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
What happens if you need the toilet on an HCT walk and there is nowhere to go? Can you walk 20 minutes back to the office and then later cut off when your time runs out? Or does that count as a break? Or if on a new contract and you have no break, what's the policy?
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steve1873
- Posts: 770
- Joined: 08 Oct 2007, 13:55
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Not strict at all where I am. I ALWAYS have my full 40 mins before leaving office.
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A2B
- Posts: 1802
- Joined: 25 Feb 2009, 19:34
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
That's my point there is no policy that I know of, and before anyone says there should be places noted in the walk logs that hasn't been a thing in our office for years.moonjaguar wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026, 19:11What happens if you need the toilet on an HCT walk and there is nowhere to go? Can you walk 20 minutes back to the office and then later cut off when your time runs out? Or does that count as a break? Or if on a new contract and you have no break, what's the policy?
I would never use that time as my break
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Mr Rush
- Posts: 2920
- Joined: 05 Aug 2011, 14:27
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Time for a toilet break is/was supposed to be built into the duty to the nearest designated toilets. Ten minutes should be reserved, though like the thirty for WTLL on a Tuesday it's just been filled by more work.moonjaguar wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026, 19:11What happens if you need the toilet on an HCT walk and there is nowhere to go? Can you walk 20 minutes back to the office and then later cut off when your time runs out? Or does that count as a break? Or if on a new contract and you have no break, what's the policy?
The machine stops.
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60091
- Posts: 84
- Joined: 15 Jul 2009, 17:15
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Rarely ever take a break no time on 10hr days !!, claim it on overtime!
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Wullie10
- EX ROYAL MAIL
- Posts: 681
- Joined: 30 Jul 2017, 12:07
- Gender: Male
- Location: Retired
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
Ive done this before. 15 minutes walked back to the office and 15 minutes walked back to the round. Half an hour to have a pee. And a manager who sits in a office doesn't understand why you can't complete.moonjaguar wrote: ↑28 Apr 2026, 19:11What happens if you need the toilet on an HCT walk and there is nowhere to go? Can you walk 20 minutes back to the office and then later cut off when your time runs out? Or does that count as a break? Or if on a new contract and you have no break, what's the policy?
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Seymour Buts
- Posts: 1146
- Joined: 22 Jun 2017, 20:17
- Gender: Male
Re: How strict are you meal breaks?
20 off the end and then it's not really policed. People take it in the van, go home in they live close enough, McDonald's or anywhere else frankly. Our bosses are sound if they know you're putting it in and not lead-swinging.