smoking break

lisa8739 · Post by **lisa8739** » 27 Sep 2008, 17:02

hi new to this so here it goes ,i have been reading the old site and been using this new site for a while now and i like it.i will put a question to you what i have seen no answer to.if my colleagues and i go for a ciggy and we are going to over our time our managers say but youve been out for afag.are we allowed a fag break or not, simple question thanks for your response.

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 27 Sep 2008, 17:23

There used to exist pre going on delivery an allowance of what was termed a 5-10 mins grace break this was used by posties to grab a quick cuppa before setting off, some used it for a cuppa others like smokers used the grace break to have a quick puff. As RM are cutting hours left, right and centre they may have done away with it, but other more knowledgeable brothers and sisters should put you right on that point.

Of course we have had the recently new smoking legislation that has came into place to contend with as well. Really there should be no smoking on RM Properties unless the required smoking shelters have been provided, which are few and far between.

Manager most likely chancing his or her luck, the way I see it if they can sit in their respective offices reading national newspapers and having a cuppa as well, then all is fare in love and war.

lisa8739 · Post by **lisa8739** » 27 Sep 2008, 17:29

we have a smoking shelter i just wanted to know if im in the wright
before i start stressing them out on monday ,its not even excessive smoking just 1 or 2 a day.

brothermagrew · Post by **brothermagrew** » 27 Sep 2008, 17:35

Then I would suggest that you and your smoking colleagues ask the DOM directly at a forthcoming WTLL Briefing (Team Talk) if there is still an entitlement to a 5-10 grace break whislt working for RM.

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 27 Sep 2008, 17:54

Is there not some rule about 5min break from prep/sorting every hour to prevent eye strain?

Post by **baldrick** » 28 Sep 2008, 21:12

BELIAL wrote:Is there not some rule about 5min break from prep/sorting every hour to prevent eye strain?

No. Try telling that to a manager at an MC where we can be sorting continuously for up to 3 hours,
and perhaps longer on OT or SA.
We used to have a local agreement (or understanding?) that people could leave the floor for up
to 10 minutes in every hour, bu that was ended with the scrapping of local agreements under
the Way Forward.
There was an agreement about coding desk operators getting a break from coding, bu we don't
have coders anymore. Don't know if the MDECs get a regular break from the VDU's.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 28 Sep 2008, 21:25

They should do as VDU operators have a specific H&S Law which is mandatory. Details can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf. Although there is no specific timings involved.

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 30 Sep 2008, 14:32

What about custom and practice?

saga · Post by **saga** » 30 Sep 2008, 18:46

Got a manager who spends most of his work time out in the yard having a fag.

pinstripe · Post by **pinstripe** » 01 Oct 2008, 01:11

At my office the smokers use the time from their meal relief. 2 x 5min fag breaks, still leaves them 30 minutes for some brekkie and a cuppa. As long as the IPS is done the managers don't mind. To be honest most are forced to wait for the drivers to come back from doing bulk calls before they can get out, so they still get their full 40 minutes meal relief as well as a few grace breaks.