Hiya guys!!!!

I've got a problem, I work in a well known hotel brand, on the reception, and I get no breaks.

I have to ask to go to the toilet, which I think is disgusting.
when I get my breakfast or dinner I have to eat it behind the desk and I have to stand up to eat it to see whether anyone is at the desk. if anyone comes to the desk when you are eating your tea then you have to leave your tea and serve them, which usually takes a while, and the phone is alway garenteed to ring whilst your trying to eat your food.

I also work 40 hours a week but get deducted 1 hour per week for breaks - which I don't get!!!!

I need your advice for what to do guys, please help!!!!!!

thank you!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

First you need to check your contract and see what's written there, then make your self aware of the provisions of the Working Time Regulations, ( a statutory document) which provide that every worker should have at least a 20-minute break every six hours.

You can also check out the Working Time Regulations document here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1998/19981833.htm

In particular note ' (3) Subject to the provisions of any applicable collective agreement or workforce agreement, the rest break provided for in paragraph (1) is an uninterrupted period of not less than 20 minutes, and the worker is entitled to spend it away from his workstation if he has one.'

Basically, you're entitled to at least a 20min break, away from your desk!!

i work on an apple mac all day - sometimes i get into work at 8am and i ork till 5/6ish and i dont even get up. never have a lunch break - ive had to learn to multi task. xx

EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO A 15 MIN BREAK EVERY 4 HOURS I THINK??
not sure as ive never ever had breaks in any job id ever done. xx

I'm recovering from a migraine last night so my brain is not functioning at full capacity today, but if you check out this link, it gives details on working hours etc.

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1998/19981833.htm

From a quick scan through it seems to say you are entitled to a break of not less than 20 minutes, away from your workstation, if you work more than 6 hours. However, it refers back to other paragraphs in the document and my brain and eyes just can't focus well enough to read it all at the moment. It will give you a starting point to work from though, I think there is also some reference to working arrangements which might negate their advice.

HTH

I thought there was a law that people got a 20 minute break for every 4 hours work on a shift - maybe the shift has to be 8 hours?! And u can take a lunch hour unpaid.

Thanks guys!!!

I work 8 hour shifts (7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm) I'm guna have a look at the links you have left me now.

I have not signed a proper contract, I don't think, only a formal offer of employment. this has things like hours of work : 39, holidays :20 days per year, job title : receptionist. but nothing about breaks.

I may ask the reception suspervisor whether there is an actual contract for our job because I have been there since march and not had one proper break, I don't like the job that much! lol.

I work at twycross zoo at weekends and I get 20 mins lunch and 10 mis break paid and I get paid 50p extra an hour and I actually have a proper contract there, it is so much better ran than the hotel.

i just think it's getting beyond a joke now.

thanks for your help guys!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Just to add, you are also entitled to a written contract of employment within 2 months of working for an employer, it is an offence not to provide you with one!

I can really sympathise with you on this one, I worked as a hotel receptionist for just over 3 years and it is really hard work.

I know you are entitled to an uninterrupted break away from your work station if you work over 6 hours, and I think the break every four hours thing applies if you work on a computer all day.

I think it's at the company's discretion whether they pay you for your breaks but if your not being paid for them then I would definately insist on having them!

nice and easy--the european working time directive states that if your shift is 6 hours or more you are entitled to a minimum break of 20 mins
it is normally unpaid but you are free to leave the building--the break is for health and saferty purposes so it is illegal to refuse it