Grace break.

[POSTMAN]

We get 40mins break right,ps i think that's really poor for an 8hr shift,altho this isn't my query.
This grace break,is this an official thing or summin from the goodness of our managers heart.
I got busted on Sat for not throwing enough work in ,it's in the 'Prep rates for RM2000 ?' thread.
Now a few of us go for bout 2 fag breaks after the ips,usually last bout 5 mins each,and my DOM mentioned my fag break during out little chat about me not throwing enough work in.

So my question or rather questions is............
What's the deal on this grace break malarkey?
Also can he stop me having a fag if he wants to?

Can you hurry up as well cause i'm dying for a smoke!

[iblamemedad]

Was always 10 mins for drink and a slash before hitting the road. But that was prior to last agreement!

[dvbuk55]

Grace breaks are just that - but there is also the argument of custom and practice.

[DINKER]

I usually have couple of fag breaks but recentley been getting a bit of stick from the 'runners' and the drivers that take out.Now before I go for a break,I inform my manager and tell him I'm taking the time out of my meal relief.No grief from him yet!

[catch]

Grace breaks are just that - but there is also the argument of custom and practice.

Yeah if it's standard then they just try to take it away, custom and practice gets you a long way.

[adminpostie]

bradford MC you get 20 mins grace break per shift every day as local agreement.
well for now any way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paul Turnbull]

Processing Staff receive a 20 min relaxation break as a right - it was introduced in 1985 and this is something that should be negotiated for other staff- I do not know if a serious attempt has been made by the union to achieve this for other functions.

[robd]

i don't know what agreements are in place regarding official breaks,however
the general rule of thumb is for every 3 and a half hours worked you are
entitled to a 15min break.
so in an 8 hour shift most employers allow you to work 3.5 hours then take
all your break together in the form of a dinner hour(2x15mins +30mins unpaid)
then work a further 3.5 hours.
so as you say 40mins for an 8 hour shift is pretty poor,for deliverys,as long as you don't compromise the workplan,you should be able to take 20mins in
the morning and 20mins usually at the end of your shift.
This shouldn't be confused with a grace break,which would mean nipping to the
toilet.
the problem is it's been open to abuse,where one person could decide to sit
on the toilet reading the paper,while everyone else is on ips.
i think the managers are going to be under a lot more pressure in terms of
time-management,where a manager has turned a blind eye to you previously
nipping out for a fag,i think he will look to utilise you somewhere else if your
stood idle.
remember take your time,and take your official breaks.

[Woody6]

Under the way forward(yes that old chesnut)the 20 min break was put into the 318's and isn't classed as a grace break,i had cause to challenge this as i was asked to perform another job which meant having my 20 mins later and i informed the manager i didn't wish to alter my break he told me it was a grace break and he could alter it accordingly,i got my union rep involved and he found in my favour much to the managers disgust.They can ask you to change your break but can't force you too.Not exactly sure how it would relate to a delivery office as i work in a mail centre.Hope this info helps

[JD]

Its written into the way backward agreement under meal reliefs full time staff get 20mins grace break and partime 10mins depending on workload.

[dvbuk55]

i don't know what agreements are in place regarding official breaks,however
the general rule of thumb is for every 3 and a half hours worked you are
entitled to a 15min break.
so in an 8 hour shift most employers allow you to work 3.5 hours then take
all your break together in the form of a dinner hour(2x15mins +30mins unpaid)
then work a further 3.5 hours.
so as you say 40mins for an 8 hour shift is pretty poor,for deliverys,as long as you don't compromise the workplan,you should be able to take 20mins in
the morning and 20mins usually at the end of your shift.
This shouldn't be confused with a grace break,which would mean nipping to the
toilet.
the problem is it's been open to abuse,where one person could decide to sit
on the toilet reading the paper,while everyone else is on ips.
i think the managers are going to be under a lot more pressure in terms of
time-management,where a manager has turned a blind eye to you previously
nipping out for a fag,i think he will look to utilise you somewhere else if your
stood idle.
remember take your time,and take your official breaks.

Toilet breaks aren't grace breaks - they are comfort breaks. You cannot be stopped from going to the toilet, should that happen simply wet yourself. It might be embarrassing but you'd never be refused again.

[POSTMAN]

Cheers for the replies guys.

[k979aaa]

What if it was a number 2 just go & shite on the gaffas desk

they proberbly not notice all the sh*t that spout's from behind the desk when their talking.!

[LeightonTalksBull]

Processing Staff receive a 20 min relaxation break as a right - it was introduced in 1985 and this is something that should be negotiated for other staff- I do not know if a serious attempt has been made by the union to achieve this for other functions.

The 20 minute relaxation allowance was agreed in the Way Forward Agreement. In practise it was only achieved in some Mail Centres. One of the northern branches put a motion to conference in 2006 to get the 20 minute relaxation allowance or equivalent scheduled break for Deliveries and other functions. Bob Gibson opposed it and it failed.

The 'grace break' is also part of the Way Forward Agreement. It is a 5-10 minute break which should normally be given before staff leave for their deliveries. However, it cannot be scheduled. If there is any reason not to give the grace break, a postie is at least allowed to have a cup of tea/coffee before he/she leaves the office.

[Pokemon Postmon]

10 minutes at the manager's discretion is what I understood of it. Doesn't mean nipping to the toilet but I would imagine having a fag counts as a grace break (well, that's my excuse when always asked by the non-smokers!)