20 minute meal relief. When do you have to take it?

DaveF14 · Post by **DaveF14** » 15 Aug 2018, 19:04

I am a full timer on a rural 6 hour delivery. I currently take my 20 minute break half way through my delivery and normally the other 20 later on or at the end of my shift. My manager says that I now have to take my 20 minute break indoors before delivery commences and the other 20 minutes whenever I like.

Is this a new thing that has been agreed with the union? Being told to take a break indoors and only about an hour into your shift?

Is there written proof/an agreement of this between Roayal mail and the CWU that backs this up?

Ive always been under the impression that I can take 20 at the end of my shift but have to take the other 20 on delivery or whenever I feel its needed.

Thank you for any replies on this matter.

Post by **CPTNemoUK** » 15 Aug 2018, 19:13

On longer days I have it just before I bag up at 9am. But on shorter days I split it up between the loops and have little drink sit down breaks.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 15 Aug 2018, 19:20

at least they want you to actually take it. If i was you id get everything ready load up you van and then take break at this lastest possible time, so when your break is over your basically going out.
They usually enforce this kind of thing when too many posties come back an hour or so early then claim they havent had their break so are only really 20 minutes back early.

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 15 Aug 2018, 20:50

down to the new pda actuals your official going out time is with half your meal relief before leaving , so take 20 mins when you've loaded the van before leaving , and take 20 mins halfway round , simple , and remember if you work 9 hours or more you are entitled to claim 10 mins extra break , so claim that as well .

TheTrolleyMan · Post by **TheTrolleyMan** » 15 Aug 2018, 21:04

It's about time everyone was taken off the office floor for an enforced meal relief before 9am

elteleltel · Post by **elteleltel** » 15 Aug 2018, 21:07

Only 1 hr 40 minutes after we start ?
6 hrs work left

TheTrolleyMan · Post by **TheTrolleyMan** » 15 Aug 2018, 21:16

And the 2nd meal relief n to be taken later

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 15 Aug 2018, 21:33

the more staff give this company the more and more they will take , start on time , take all your breaks , use the methods , its simple then you either claim o/t or you finish on time and take it back , this isn't a charity its a company that is throwing money about like confetti to the powers above ,

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 15 Aug 2018, 22:25

I imagine this was locally agreed in planning stages of a revision

DaveF14 · Post by **DaveF14** » 16 Aug 2018, 05:21

No local agreement. Just the manager saying we HAVE to take 20 minutes before commencing delivery. I have no issue taking breaks. I take them but with a 6 hour rural, I prefer to take them out on delivery to break it up.

Any national agreement on when we have to take our breaks?

world class male · Post by **world class male** » 16 Aug 2018, 06:11

in our d/o we are supposed to take at least half indoor and the remainder taken whenever we want, usually at the end
less than 10% of ours take half indoor, then most of others give royal mail "free work" in order to complete lapsing as they say they cannot complete if they take a break

usually us in the minority who take our breaks get back at the same time,
just times 20 mins by 5 (days) then by 46 or 48 (weeks) then by our hourly rate and it's a princely sum they're forfeiting
honestly, the mentality of some of the posties beggars belief

Matt123 · Post by **Matt123** » 16 Aug 2018, 08:48

As a part timer we have been told to take our meal relief at 9.20 in the staff room
We at start at 9.00

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 16 Aug 2018, 13:11

I’m pretty sure they can tell you when to take your breaks. Legally you’re not allowed to work for more than six hours without a break, so they have to take that into consideration. To be told to have a 20 min break before you go out seems reasonable enough for someone that is 2 hours into their shift imo.

Creditshampoo · Post by **Creditshampoo** » 16 Aug 2018, 16:31

Matt123 wrote:As a part timer we have been told to take our meal relief at 9.20 in the staff room
We at start at 9.00

f**k that

DGH · Post by **DGH** » 16 Aug 2018, 18:02

Your break(s) must be taken towards the middle of the day. That can be varied by your employer under some circumstances but not as a general rule. If you work a 6 hour day, you should really be taking a single break somewhere between 2 and 4 hours into your day. If working an eight our day, either a single 40 minute break 3-5 hours into your day or two 20 minute breaks staggered within that period.

That's just a guideline but is a sensible interpretation of what the guidance on breaks says.

It's unreasonable to instruct you to take your sole break just an hour into a six hour day unless circumstances are unusual on that day - it shouldn't be a regular thing.