Long Hours

[clarky254]

Does anyone know the legal time you can work before you have to have a break? My work are making me do double shifts at the moment and as a result i'm working 14 hoursn shifts without a proper break????

[Everhelpful]

Used to be 4 and a half hours a few years ago,but I'm not sure nowadays.

[Buenchico]

The only regulation about breaks during your working day simply states that if your total working time exceeds 6 hours, you're entitled to a 20 minute break during that period.

However, there is a separate regulation which states that you must be permitted a minimum of 11 hours rest between working days. If your company require you to work 14-hours shifts (at the same times) on two successive days, they will be in breach of this regulation.

See here:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-le gislation/employment-guidance/page28979.html

Chris

[Dizzieblonde]

You're allowed 20minutes for every 6 hours, and it has to be somewhere in the middle of the shift - not at the beginning or end. I think there's some regulation saying you're allowed to take your break away from the workplace too, but your own contract of employment may be different.

[jaffacake]

Most employments that do shift work have a breakfast in the early morning.Its most popular these days to provide your employees with this sort of thing.

[dazza g]

you dont say what kind of work your'e in we had the same thing with my wife . she works in the nursing and caring industry and even after contacting every government body possible (she was working anything from 15 to 24 hours at a time ) it emerged that the health services are basically a law unto themselves . reasons included they get to sit down for more than 10 minutes at a time ,they are out of the work place with residents etc etc hope but anyone else it is 20 mins in 6 hours

[thugulike]

Bear in mind that the break does not have to be paid though. The Working Time Regulations just say you must have a break after 6 hours.

[cat66]

In some jobs there are no specific legal guidelines. It does really depend on what your job is, but the 'Working Time Regulations' clearly states that you do not have to work in excess of 48 hours per week. This applies to ALL jobs. Your contract of employment will have a page that you have to sign to say that you do not mind working in excess of 48 hours. If you sign it, your employer can ask you to work any amount of hours. The only breaks that are legally required to be taken are in transport eg. lorry drivers, coach drivers, bus drivers etc. They must take a break at specified times, for public safety reasons. Also, catering and young people have special rules too. Most jobs have one half an hour break at some point for lunch during an eight hour working day.