Meal breaks

[HTPostman]

In our office, a mere couple of metres separates the duties/section that has to take 20 mins indoors and 20 mins outdoors or at the end of the shift.....and those who are allowed to take the full 40 mins at the end. We also have a third section, manned by those with the longest service (and no I’m not having a dig) who are allowed to ‘flex’ and start 90 mins earlier and finish 90 mins earlier. When I worked indoors they were frequently leaving at 12.30pm, no questions asked. And yes the work is here on a morning at that time.

It’s ridiculous how every single area has the rules differently applied.

[SpacePhoenix]

In our office, a mere couple of metres separates the duties/section that has to take 20 mins indoors and 20 mins outdoors or at the end of the shift.....and those who are allowed to take the full 40 mins at the end. We also have a third section, manned by those with the longest service (and no I’m not having a dig) who are allowed to ‘flex’ and start 90 mins earlier and finish 90 mins earlier. When I worked indoors they were frequently leaving at 12.30pm, no questions asked. And yes the work is here on a morning at that time.

It’s ridiculous how every single area has the rules differently applied.

The ones taking the full 40 at the end are breaking the law

[nuisance]

My understanding is that an employer cannot force you to take your break at the end of a shift but there is nothing illegal about an employee opting to do it.

[fb1969]

It is illegal to work more than 6 hours without a minimum of a 20 minute break. Any individual working over 6 hours without a break, and any company letting them do so, will find themselves on very dodgy ground in the event of an accident at work.

[mafiaman]

We have to vote who wants 40 min breaks or 20/20 something fishy going on

[scoobydo79]

We have to vote who wants 40 min breaks or 20/20 something fishy going on

That’s because people will still come in early and carve rounds up just to go home 20 minutes before their duty ends. Even with later starts.Royal Mail know this. They ain’t daft.

[mafiaman]

That's exactly correct ive voted 40 ,but people will still come back 40 minutes early so 20 minutes toilet sort your van out etc

[Dorset Plodder]

That’s because people will still come in early and carve rounds up just to go home 20 minutes before their duty ends. Even with later starts.Royal Mail know this. They ain’t daft.

Totally Agree
Posties are their own worst enemy. Idiots that have been coming in early UNPAID and Idiots that don't take any Meal Breaks have been ruining the job for the rest of us. THEY (not RM) make their colleagues "Look" bad because they're doing this sort of thing and probably running around cutting corners while they're at it.

As you say RM ain't daft they love them, and let them get on with it! They make Oversized, Unrealistic, duties "Look" doo-able within the contracted hours.... when the duty holders know they're not!

We've recently moved to a system where the Manager's said, "Your paid hours Start when you Scan In and Stop when you Scan out" so no booking untaken MR on a clip board and going home 20 mins early (which used to happen). Probably so the Lazy Bastard doesn't have to manually input as much OT and can just leave it to the SISO system.

It had the unintended consequence of "Forcing" everyone (Including the Idiots) to stay out for their Full 40 Mins MR if they wanted paying for it.
Although believe it or not some Idiots are still not taking it and finishing early!

[matthew68]

That’s because people will still come in early and carve rounds up just to go home 20 minutes before their duty ends. Even with later starts.Royal Mail know this. They ain’t daft.

Totally Agree
Posties are their own worst enemy. Idiots that have been coming in early UNPAID and Idiots that don't take any Meal Breaks have been ruining the job for the rest of us. THEY (not RM) make their colleagues "Look" bad because they're doing this sort of thing and probably running around cutting corners while they're at it.

As you say RM ain't daft they love them, and let them get on with it! They make Oversized, Unrealistic, duties "Look" doo-able within the contracted hours.... when the duty holders know they're not!

We've recently moved to a system where the Manager's said, "Your paid hours Start when you Scan In and Stop when you Scan out" so no booking untaken MR on a clip board and going home 20 mins early (which used to happen). Probably so the Lazy Bastard doesn't have to manually input as much OT and can just leave it to the SISO system.

It had the unintended consequence of "Forcing" everyone (Including the Idiots) to stay out for their Full 40 Mins MR if they wanted paying for it.
Although believe it or not some Idiots are still not taking it and finishing early!

Absolutely spot on and well said, we are now starting at 720 and still some idiots are coming in at 630 which is where first lorry arrives! One guy goes out at 8 on his own and never takes breaks and can leave 30 minutes early according to manager as he doesn’t have breaks! Now quite a few are doing this just to leave 30 minutes early, these clowns never cut off or claim then moan about what’s happening to royal mail! And wander why we are still lapsing! Too many selfish idiots work as postman and they are the ones causing half the issues

[abuch1980]

Now we are on "low" season and our shifts are less than 7hours are we only entitled to 30 or still 40minute break ?

[ted_e_bear]

Now we are on "low" season and our shifts are less than 7hours are we only entitled to 30 or still 40minute break ?

30, we've now got 3 days a week under 7 hours but don't forget if you extend over 7hrs1min then you become entitled to the extra 10mins (afaik)

[2chorizon]

Now we are on "low" season and our shifts are less than 7hours are we only entitled to 30 or still 40minute break ?

30, we've now got 3 days a week under 7 hours but don't forget if you extend over 7hrs1min then you become entitled to the extra 10mins (afaik)

Correct ^

[abuch1980]

So let's say for example you do 6h 51mins, and you only take 20mins break. Add on the 10mins you didn't take puts you over the 7hours so.. does this trigger a 40min break ?

[yellowbelly]

So let's say for example you do 6h 51mins, and you only take 20mins break. Add on the 10mins you didn't take puts you over the 7hours so.. does this trigger a 40min break ?

Yes.

[GizzardPuke]

How does this work for those of us on 30 hour contracts (six hours a day)? At the moment we're on 5hr 50 minute days. Does this mean we're not entitled to any break? I know, legally, under six hours a day doesn't entitle you to a break but that doesn't stop companies offering it anyway.
If so, that means I have to work 20 minutes longer on the short days than on the standard days.