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Forced Break

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
Laura703
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Joined: 02 Nov 2015, 18:23
Gender: Female

Forced Break

Post by Laura703 »

We have been told as of next week our whole (very large) office is to have our break at 8:30-8:50. As a part timer I will be on shift for an hour then I’ll have to have my break and then work 6 hours straight through without another break. On a Wednesday which is a later start I’ll be in 30 minutes before having to take my break. I know the law is quite vague as it just says you can’t have a break at the start or the end of a shift but surely within an hour of starting isn’t right? Also there is no way all the staff will fit in the canteen.
redlen
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Joined: 21 Dec 2021, 12:05
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by redlen »

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

Working six hours or more


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)

workers are allowed to spend it away from their desk or workstation (this means away from where they actually work)
It does not count as a rest break if an employer says an employee should go back to work before their break is finished.
Last edited by redlen on 23 Oct 2026, 17:05, edited 1 time in total.
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POSTMAN
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Re: Forced Break

Post by POSTMAN »

It's not a 1 size fits all, your rep/s should know this.
I Wrote-During Covid-Which is still relevant now
It's good to get these types of threads, the ridiculous my manager said bollox, so we can reassure ourselves that while the world is falling apart, Royal Mail managers are still being the low-life C***S they have always been.
My BFF Clash
The daily grind of having to argue your case with an intellectual pigmy of a line manager is physically and emotionally draining.
apple
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Joined: 03 Dec 2007, 17:13
Gender: Male
Location: Pluto

Re: Forced Break

Post by apple »

its a local agreement, when and how you have your break, talk to the rep
redlen
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Joined: 21 Dec 2021, 12:05
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by redlen »

apple wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 19:16
its a local agreement, when and how you have your break, talk to the rep

Local agreements cannot take precedence over the Working Time Regulations
Those Regulations are specific in what the employer can, and cannot do.
2chorizon
Posts: 758
Joined: 03 Apr 2019, 20:39
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

redlen wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 19:21
apple wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 19:16
its a local agreement, when and how you have your break, talk to the rep

Local agreements cannot take precedence over the Working Time Regulations
Those Regulations are specific in what the employer can, and cannot do.
This ^

& get together with your rep and state you need a break when out on the walk not be forced to take it all before you go out (see my other thread on DM26 fatigue)

Also there is a piece in the way forward agreement allowing for grace “allowances should be made for the chance to take a cup of tea before going out on delivery”

if i find it i will post it up here
2chorizon
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Joined: 03 Apr 2019, 20:39
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

I will get you the exact wording from the way forward agreement 2000

& you will get an additional 10 mins grace break with the “chance to take a cup of tea before going out on delivery”

+ then you will get to take a 40 min break (or pro rata if part time) when out on the walk.

+ this will prevent getting pulled in and questioned as to why your PDA was static for 18 min & 23secs during the round (or some such sh*t)

Standby…….
2chorizon
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Joined: 03 Apr 2019, 20:39
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

Okay not one to dwell for long…
Here we go, From the way forward agreement 2000:

Breaks at the beginning or end of attendance
Where an attendance is provided with more than one break, the second break may be scheduled at the beginning or end, in which case attendance is not required solely for booking on or off. A single break should not be scheduled at the beginning or end of the attendance,

Grace Breaks
When work permits a grace break of 10 minutes, over and above the standard entitlements, should be allowed on all indoor and outdoor jobs. In no circumstances should this be scheduled. Where it is not possible to provide a grace break before going out on first delivery the employee should be given the chance to have cup of tea before leaving the office.
2chorizon
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Joined: 03 Apr 2019, 20:39
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Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

2chorizon
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Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

Click the Like button & follow me for more.
Last edited by 2chorizon on 24 Oct 2026, 05:45, edited 1 time in total.
2chorizon
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Joined: 03 Apr 2019, 20:39
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by 2chorizon »

“Japanese submarine slammed two torpedos into our side Chief, we was commin back from the island of Tinian de Lay……just delivered the Bomb….the hiroshima Bomb…..”

:wave
nightcrawler
Posts: 194
Joined: 20 Sep 2018, 17:05
Gender: Male

Re: Forced Break

Post by nightcrawler »

We’ve had a similar setup in our office for a few years now. On a Tuesday - where we start a little later - our break is only 1 hour and 5 mins after we start! Most of the week our break ends at 9.35, then we have to work 6 hours on a wed/thurs to the end of our shift.