Taking break in one go?

EddieW1002 · Post by **EddieW1002** » 18 Mar 2019, 18:19

Hi, I’m on a 30 hour contract and so I know I’m entitled to 30 minutes break a day. My question is, am I allowed to take this 30 minutes all in one go when out on delivery or do I have to split it in to two 15 minute breaks, one before I leave the yard and one out on delivery? Some posties have said that I can only have 15 minutes when I’m out but I’ve searched and I can’t find anything formal saying I can’t take it all in one go. Any help is appreciated, thank you.

Postie45 · Post by **Postie45** » 18 Mar 2019, 18:50

the intent of breaks is that they are not split, this is purely given as an option. So, yes, you can have your whole break.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 18 Mar 2019, 19:03

The timing of your break or breaks should be decided by an agreement between the union and management.
The union should be guided by the members.
It isn't a personal choice.

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 18 Mar 2019, 19:25

if your office doesn't have a set time or a set way in taking any meal relief before leaving the office , YES you can take your meal relief when and how it suits you , 30 mins in 1 go or 15mins / 15mins , and remember the more hours you work the more meal relief you are entitled to

.

EddieW1002 · Post by **EddieW1002** » 23 Mar 2019, 14:50

Thank you for your help

picture123 · Post by **picture123** » 24 Mar 2019, 08:11

There should be a local agreement. If you're with a van share your breaks should be split to match theirs. Management can tell you when to take your break though. Most employers do.

Bahia Feliz · Post by **Bahia Feliz** » 24 Mar 2019, 08:27

picture123 wrote: Management can tell you when to take your break though. Most employers do.

According to the law (Gov.uk) you are entitled to take your break in the middle of your working day (I do) Not at the beginning or the end of your shift.

Seymour Buts · Post by **Seymour Buts** » 24 Mar 2019, 15:02

This does need some standardising. It's also awkward given the different contracts, I get 30 like you but the full-timers get 40. If you're paired how is that meant to work? In our office it's standard to take 20 before going out then take 20 off your finish time. That's pretty standard throughout Royal Mail I believe, yet it's actually against the rules apparently; you're meant to take your break not bank them.

Marshamp11 · Post by **Marshamp11** » 24 Mar 2019, 18:12

picture123 wrote:There should be a local agreement. If you're with a van share your breaks should be split to match theirs. Management can tell you when to take your break though. Most employers do.

They cannot force you to split your break. If you are entitled to 40 mins take it in one go.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 25 Mar 2019, 07:02

Marshamp11 wrote:
picture123 wrote:There should be a local agreement. If you're with a van share your breaks should be split to match theirs. Management can tell you when to take your break though. Most employers do.
They cannot force you to split your break. If you are entitled to 40 mins take it in one go.

As stated above according to the Working Time Directive your manager can tell you when to take a break.
As I have posted previously we have collective bargaining. This means the timing of the break should be agreed between the union and the management.
If the unit votes to split the break 20/20 or 20/10 then that is when your break is.
You cannot insist that you have to have your full 40 minutes in the middle of the day.
By the same token if the unit votes to have the full meal relief before commencing delivery then that is when your break is. You can't insist on splitting it.
It isn't a matter of personal choice.

If you work more than 6 hours you are legally entitled to a 20 minute unpaid break which mustn't be at the start or the end of the duty.
Your break is when it is scheduled.
And if the break isn't properly scheduled by an agreement, then the only default legal position is your break is when your manager tells you.

postmanzach · Post by **postmanzach** » 28 Mar 2019, 09:04

clashcityrocker wrote:
Marshamp11 wrote:
picture123 wrote:There should be a local agreement. If you're with a van share your breaks should be split to match theirs. Management can tell you when to take your break though. Most employers do.
They cannot force you to split your break. If you are entitled to 40 mins take it in one go.
As stated above according to the Working Time Directive your manager can tell you when to take a break.
As I have posted previously we have collective bargaining. This means the timing of the break should be agreed between the union and the management.
If the unit votes to split the break 20/20 or 20/10 then that is when your break is.
You cannot insist that you have to have your full 40 minutes in the middle of the day.
By the same token if the unit votes to have the full meal relief before commencing delivery then that is when your break is. You can't insist on splitting it.
It isn't a matter of personal choice.

If you work more than 6 hours you are legally entitled to a 20 minute unpaid break which mustn't be at the start or the end of the duty.
Your break is when it is scheduled.
And if the break isn't properly scheduled by an agreement, then the only default legal position is your break is when your manager tells you.

Who’s actually going to enforce when you take your break? I have seen it happen for a few weeks once, where everyone had to take 20 minutes at the same time. Was so ridiculously stupid as some people had only just started.
I take my breaks when I fancy it, same as always have and nobody has a problem with that.

deltaforce · Post by **deltaforce** » 28 Mar 2019, 09:36

Plus you are entitled to take your break away from your work station/ van . A place where you can wash your hands and use of toilet facilities.