taking paid breaks

South_London_Postie · Post by **South_London_Postie** » 23 Dec 2016, 18:47

cpsteve wrote:
South_London_Postie wrote:
You should not expect enough time to pick up kids in your break to many variables.

You missed the point. That was just an example to the original question of " what is the correct procedure of taking breaks on HCT duties and leaving the trolley.

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 23 Dec 2016, 18:50

I don't take mine, I just add my 40 minutes on at the end of the day. I'm sure many of you will disagree with that but it's allowed and is by far the most popular way in my office. Personally, as someone who ALWAYS finishes the duty, I just don't see a benefit in taking a break partway through the day and making it longer than need be. There's a tangible amount of work to be done, I'd rather just get it done.

That's not to say I NEVER take a break halfway through, if I happen to reach the chippy when it's open for lunch then I'll stop there

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 Dec 2016, 19:43

Actually, Chewster its not "allowed", your manager could be in deep dodo if an incident occurs because of fatigue. Its the law that anyone expected to work 6 hours or more should have the opportunity of a break somewhere in the middle of the working day.

If however, you ignore the managers instructions to take a break, there are no legal consequences to you (ignoring other factors such as failing to comply with a reasonable request) however, a compensation claim made by you after being injured at work may be reduced if fatigue was a factor and you did not take a break.

Post by **woopesh** » 23 Dec 2016, 20:14

I don't understand how people can walk round with a 100kg plus trolley, go up and down hundreds of flights of stairs for hours on end without a break. Honestly, after two / two and a half hours it becomes painful for me. Its much more pleasant to sit down at that point for a coffee and a sandwich. I reckon I'm more productive after this break and that cancels out the time taken to stop. Unless its a tuesday / light day I always stop.

t3mcIUQWE2 · Post by **t3mcIUQWE2** » 23 Dec 2016, 20:18

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:If however, you ignore the managers instructions to take a break, there are no legal consequences to you

Potentially you are breaking the law, consequences up to life imprisonment.

wannabeek · Post by **wannabeek** » 23 Dec 2016, 21:09

Hmm. Of all the lifers in clink in this country, I don't believe there is one of them who would say, 'I'm here because my boss told me to take a break and I wouldn't.'

Don't get me wrong, everyone should take their break, but pretending that they'll get life in prison for failing to do so is just laughable and makes the situation look silly.

Take your paid breaks; don't give RM a penny for free; be safe and sensible.

If you refuse to take any break during a working day (yet be paid for it) then you are a plonker and if you kill someone while driving then you will get no union or RM support in your defense.

I do not for one moment believe that you would be expected, even by an avid Daily Mail reader, to serve a life sentence for that crime.

Chewster · Post by **Chewster** » 23 Dec 2016, 22:12

Never have I ever been instructed to take a break nor have I ever heard a manager even talk about breaks