Does anyone know for sure what the present legislation is regarding employees' lunch hour breaks?

I am of the opinion that every employee is entitled to one hour's break in the day (that it is illegal to deny them this time off).

But what about employees who are working on a trial basis and part-time workers?

My question relates to a hairdresser who is presently on a week's trial. She has been working without taking a break in the day. Surely this is not on. (Incidentally, it isn't me employing her - I need to make that clear.)

Your advice appreciated.

(Dave)

Hmm you got me thinking now... In an 8 hour shift, I only get 30 mins off, unpaid... However I manage to wangle 5 mins here and there :P

No-one should be working all day without a break... The only time I had to work without at break was on a 4 hour shift... But obviously its not worth having a break anyway lol

Acas say:
What entitlement is there to rest breaks during the working day?
A worker has the right to a break of 20 minutes if required to work continuously for more than six hours. The break should be taken during the six hour period and not at the beginning or the end of it.

The breaks do not have to be paid unless the employment contract provides for this.

I really had to laugh at this thread.

My normal working hours are 8am to 6pm (10 hours, although I often work much later). During this time I have no formal lunch break, although if I'm in the office I am allowed to dash out the the local sandwich shop and grab something to eat at my desk.

This is normal practice in a job like mine.

My job is similar Jbee, however I find if I allow myself half an hour away from my desk I can work a lot better in the afternoon and don't seem to fall asleep at 3pm

That means that you have no hour entitlement.

My contract says I do, but I prefer not to take it in the hope of finishing early. I should learn that this will never happen as the amount of work expands to fill the time available.

If you're under 18, you are entitled to 1 15 minute break every 4 hours. If you are working 9 hours, an hour of that has to be dinner.

I have about 90 minutes of paid breaks during a 7 hour working day, plus 30 mins unpaid lunch.

Originally posted by GazB
If you're under 18, you are entitled to 1 15 minute break every 4 hours. If you are working 9 hours, an hour of that has to be dinner.

I have about 90 minutes of paid breaks during a 7 hour working day, plus 30 mins unpaid lunch.

not quite what the dti website says.

It says 30 mins every 4.5 hrs for under 18's, nothing specific about a 'lunch' break.

Yes, the European working time directive means that all employees can take a 20 minute unpaid break if working over 6 hours.

I was under the impression that an emplyee must have a break every four hours and if a shift is 8 hours or more they are entitled to an hour's break, not necessarily a paid break though.

Some companys pay time and half if you eat lunch at your desk so i've heard !

I was under the impression that you had to take a 15 minute break every 4 hours.

You don't have to take a break, but you are entitled to one

I thought health and safety wise you now had to?

It depends if your salaried or not - if you are paid hourly they probably will insist you take a break as they don't have to pay you for lunch. I'm salaried so while they say I should take a break, I don't have to cos they don't enforce it - if I work through lunch, i leave early.