Amount of time provided for break?

Faith

I started a new job today, just over the Christmas period. I only wanted a few hours, but I was given 8 hours today, from 9 to 5. However, I was only given a 15 minute break. It's in a café-restaurant type place in Cork city. It's newly opened, but it is part of a chain.

I got the job through my friend who works there, and when I enquired about the short breaks, she told me "Oh yeah, they've changed the law". Now, I was working 9 - 3 all summer, and got a 30 minute paid lunchbreak. When I worked 8 hours, I got an hours paid lunchbreak. This way from a company not renowned for their generosity.

In every other job I've had, I got a 15 minute break for 4 hours, a 30 minute break for 4 to 8 hours, and an hour break (and usually another 15 or 30 minute break) for 8 hours or more.

Has the law actually changed or are they just screwing their staff?

Slippin Jimmy

Faith wrote:

I started a new job today, just over the Christmas period. I only wanted a few hours, but I was given 8 hours today, from 9 to 5. However, I was only given a 15 minute break. It's in a café-restaurant type place in Cork city. It's newly opened, but it is part of a chain.

I got the job through my friend who works there, and when I enquired about the short breaks, she told me "Oh yeah, they've changed the law". Now, I was working 9 - 3 all summer, and got a 30 minute paid lunchbreak. When I worked 8 hours, I got an hours paid lunchbreak. This way from a company not renowned for their generosity.

In every other job I've had, I got a 15 minute break for 4 hours, a 30 minute break for 4 to 8 hours, and an hour break (and usually another 15 or 30 minute break) for 8 hours or more.

Has the law actually changed or are they just screwing their staff?

To the best of my knowledge, the has not changed regarding this. I am working also in a well known electrical company in Ireland and today I got an hours break after working for four hours. Also I worked one day last week and also got an hours break. You should also be entitled to more than a 15 minute break for working that long. After 2-3 hours I get a 15 minute break, so you working longer, should be getting more of a break.

Rebeller

Faith wrote:

Has the law actually changed or are they just screwing their staff?

No, the law hasn't been changed. Yes they are screwing their workers.

If this is just a short term job (and depending on your financial circumstances) I'd say screw them. Walk out without notice. Or, if you're up for a bit of a fight you can report them to a rights commissioner

You'll find info here

on your break entitlements.

Don't just put up with it. Why should they get rich off your labour?

Pablo

oasis.gov.ie is down at the moment.
But here is the info

Wishbone Ash

Organisation of Working Time Act 1997

Section 12

12.—(1) An employer shall not require an employee to work for a period of more than 4 hours and 30 minutes without allowing him or her a break of at least 15 minutes.

(2) An employer shall not require an employee to work for a period of more than 6 hours without allowing him or her a break of at least 30 minutes; such a break may include the break referred to in subsection (1).

(3) The Minister may by regulations provide, as respects a specified class or classes of employee, that the minimum duration of the break to be allowed to such an employee under subsection (2) shall be more than 30 minutes (but not more than 1 hour).

(4) A break allowed to an employee at the end of the working day shall not be regarded as satisfying the requirement contained in subsection (1) or (2).




http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZA20Y1997.html

faceman

I think Faith is based in Edinburgh so Irish legislation may be different to uk laws.

This might help
http://www.bizhelp24.com/business-law/employee-working-hours-break-entitlement-3.html

faceman

Sorry i just re-read Faith's first post-please ignore my last post.

Wishbone Ash

Pablo wrote:

oasis.gov.ie is down at the moment

I think they are going under their new name: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/

Faith

Cheers guys, I stumbled upon the correct info last night. I worked 5.5 hours today with a 15 minute break and it was fine.

Honestly, it's not really like I need more than 15 minutes, I was just miffed!