EddScott

My wife has just started in a new hair salon. She loves it to bits but isn't getting a proper break during the day.

She only gets half hour lunch but sometimes its not till after 3pm which leaves her with headaches and feeling sick. She doesn't want to say anything because shes only just started but shes worried its affecting her work.

Are there any laws on how long you are supposed to go between breaks?

banny sti

iTrader: (68)

Think it should be a break every 3 and a half hours

Banny

stilover

Probably best if she has a word with the manager in a calm manner, rather than spouting laws off.

EddScott

Oh no, she wouldn't be shirty with the boss. She loves working there and is learning so much more than when she was training. Just wanted to know what was what just in case.

michaelro

Thought it was about 20 mins if you work over 6 hours - Check Working Time Directives on-line
Some people are exempt - But I doubt it includes Haridressers

RMA26

At my old firm, NO BREAKS AT ALL & they were conveyancing/legal solicitors!

Brun

Does the law not depend on what business you're in?

EddScott

Really? here you can set your watch by the local solicitors, accoutants, general insurers and their lunch break - its quite frustrating for us. We (IFA practice) don't actually close for lunch. We just nip out for food as and when. If admin want a break its an hour.

We used to share a building with a general insurers and the miserable buggers on the front desk wouldn't get off their fat *** to open the door if someone came to visit us during thier lunch break.

BlkKnight

health and safety aside

15 minutes every 4 hours

logiclee

Rest breaks - a break during your working day

If you're an adult worker (that is, over 18), you'll normally have the right to a 20 minute rest break if you're expected to work for more than six hours at a stretch.
A lunch or coffee break can count as your rest break. Additional breaks might be given by your contract of employment. There's no statutory right to 'smoking breaks'.
If you're under 18 but over school leaving age (you're under school leaving age until the end of summer term of the school year in which you turn 16) you're classed as a 'young worker'. A young worker is entitled to a 30 minute rest break if they are expected to work for more that four and a half hours at a stretch.
The requirements are:

• the break must be in one block
• it can't be taken off one end of the working day - it must be somewhere in the middle
• you're allowed to spend it away from the place on your employer's premises where you work
• your employer can say when the break must be taken, as long as it meets these conditions

slipstream_uk

iTrader: (1)

I work 12hr shifts, all we get is a 10min break at 10am and a 10min break at 2pm. If we want a lunch break like 30mins, you have to work on for 30mins.

RMA26

Well we did get an hours lunch break, but nothing else

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

1 hr lunch break for me, but normally end up working some of it due to volume of work. Blo*dy customers!

StickyMicky

that is what i was always led to believe

so you work a 8 hour day, you are only entitled to 15mins by law IIRC

i always found anything more then 30mins for lunch and nobody can be arsed to do anything afterwards as they slob out to much instead of eating