Does my company have to supply a Canteen/break area by law?

NeVeR

Hi,

The reason i ask this is because the boss in our company locked the Canteen and wont re-open it.

Does the company have to have an area where employees can have a break, make tea/coffee etc by law.

Is there any websites with info on stuff like this.

I know it's stupid but we would like to know.

Thanks.

Civilian_Target

Nope - they're not. I'm not even sure that they have to provide access to a toilet, certainly I've worked in shops that didn't have toilets...

shoegirl

No, but you are still legally entitled to a break.
Chances are they may be trying to reduce insurance costs or stop people wandering off for a coffee.

NeVeR

I know we are legally entitled to a break, But if we have no where to have it then we just sit in the office and still have to answer calls etc. We could go outside but it's cold and raining !!

leeroybrown

NeVeR wrote:

But if we have no where to have it then we just sit in the office and still have to answer calls etc.

You are not on a break if you still 'have to' answer calls.

rick_fantastic

go get a 10euro kettle out of argos, coffee, tea, sugar and take turns in bringin in some milk.

stick it on your desk / work area and have everyone over to your desk for coffee breaks etc etc.

you'll get no work done but everyone in the job will love you and you'll piss off your boss loads

(p.s you might get the sack for this)

NeVeR

LOL we are thinking of doing this.

The reason he closed the canteen is because someone put Tea bags in the Burco, (should only have hot water in it) and he got pissed off that noone admitted to putting them in. We think it might have been a mistake but noone will admit to it.

If it's not opening on monday we will get a kettle etc

cheers.

seamus

Ha! What kind of moron puts tea bags in a Burco?

For the record, you're not entitled to any breaks to go and get coffee when you feel like it. Afaik, there is no onus on an employer to provide a canteen or any kind of food (including tea, coffee and milk), however in terms of health and safety, they may have certain obligations in terms of ensuring that toilets, food and water are available in the vicinity of the workplace (even if you have to buy them in the shop).

VroomVroom

Nice idea, but I think sticking a kettle on the edge of your desk and inviting people around for a little party might go against one or two health and safety rules!

leeroybrown

seamus wrote:

Ha! What kind of moron puts tea bags in a Burco?

Thats what I though until I kept finding tea bags in the bottom of them (and kettles)...

Darragh29

NeVeR wrote:

Hi,

The reason i ask this is because the boss in our company locked the Canteen and wont re-open it.

Does the company have to have an area where employees can have a break, make tea/coffee etc by law.

Is there any websites with info on stuff like this.

I know it's stupid but we would like to know.

Thanks.

Do you work in Sandyford Ind. Est. by any chance???

NeVeR

no i dont work there

shoegirl

In any case its more in the employers favour if you guys have a canteen to eat in, its better than covering desks in breadcrumbs and having the smell of food around the office. Not to mention the mess, and stronger likelihood of spilling liquids on the computers.

Seems a petty reason to close the canteen though!

youcancallmeal

VroomVroom wrote:

Nice idea, but I think sticking a kettle on the edge of your desk and inviting people around for a little party might go against one or two health and safety rules!

A kettle full of boiling hot water right beside electrical equipment =

Wishbone Ash

NeVeR wrote:

Hi,

The reason i ask this is because the boss in our company locked the Canteen and wont re-open it.

Does the company have to have an area where employees can have a break, make tea/coffee etc by law.

Is there any websites with info on stuff like this.

I know it's stupid but we would like to know.

Thanks.

AFAIK if an employer employs more than 5 people outdoors, he/she has to provide a canteen for them. (e.g. on a construction site). I don't think there is any requirement to provide a canteen for an indoor occupation. (I'm open to correction on that).

Teabreaks (i.e. morning/afternoon 15 mins) are usually given at the discretion of the employer. They have no obligation to provide them nor do they have any obligation to provide facilities. They are only required to ensure that the breaks comply with the Organisation of Working Act and related regulations.

shoegirl wrote:

No, but you are still legally entitled to a break

You would be legally entitled to a lunch break or evening meal break (if applicable) but not a tea/coffee break. (The rules are slightly different for shop workers though).

cashback

NeVeR wrote:

The reason he closed the canteen is because someone put Tea bags in the Burco

A mug just isn't big enough for some people!