Legal Lunchtimes ...

vodkasoda

My daughter is 17 & working full time in a "shop" on the street that supplies a walk-in public service ... LOL, trying to be careful in what I am saying isn't easy !!!

On certain days, she is in this "shop" on her own and has been told by the owners that she is not allowed to close, not even for lunch. This means that she doesn't get a break, and customers are liable to come in when she is eating her lunch.

I am sure that this must be illegal, but I don't know the exact rules / law and I don't know where to follow up on this ... she is too worried to do so and in any case she is sure that she will get the sack if she does anything about it !!!

I have told her to leave and get a job in Tesco, where she will not be abused or taken advantage of, but even if she does, I'd like this woman to know that she can't treat youngsters like this !!!

feylya

This may be helpful:

The general rule on breaks is that you are entitled to a break of 15 minutes after a 4 ½ hour work period and a further break of 15 minutes after a 6 hour work period. There is no entitlement to be paid during these breaks.

You are entitled to 11 consecutive hours rest in any period of 24 hours. In addition you should get 24 consecutive hours rest in any period of 7 days and this should normally follow on from one of the 11 hour rest periods already mentioned. As an alternative your employer can give you two 24 hour rest periods in the week that follows one in which you did not get this entitlement.

Shop employees who work more than 6 hours and whose hours of work include 11.30am - 2.30pm are entitled to a one hour consecutive break which must occur during those hours. Employees who work in the Retail Grocery trade (Nationwide) and the Retail Footwear and Drapery Trade (Dublin only) are entitled to a 15 minute paid break (exclusive of the main meal break) if working more than 4 ½ hours.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/hours-of-work/hours_breaks_sundays

Noelie

vodkasoda wrote: »

I have told her to leave and get a job in Tesco, where she will not be abused or taken advantage of, but even if she does, I'd like this woman to know that she can't treat youngsters like this !!!

I wouldn't be too sure of that, I know of people who work in Tescos and god they work for their money. I know of one guy who always had to work an hour late every saturday as someone hadn't come in and there wasn't enough people to do all the work.

most spar's only give two 15 minute breaks to their staff but they work an eight hour shift and are paid 8 hours.

Is your daughter being stopped and hours wage for the lunch she never gets to take? that would be illegal.

vodkasoda

Thank you, I'll have a good read & get her to do so too ... when I can get in touch !!! Teenagers !!!

feylya wrote: »

This may be helpful:



http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/hours-of-work/hours_breaks_sundays

vodkasoda

I will talk to her & clarify, at this moment she's out of touch .. probably lost her phone AGAIN !!!

I think she's happy to work hard for her money, what she doesn't like is being treated like a second class citizen !!!

Noelie wrote: »

I wouldn't be too sure of that, I know of people who work in Tescos and god they work for their money. I know of one guy who always had to work an hour late every saturday as someone hadn't come in and there wasn't enough people to do all the work.

most spar's only give two 15 minute breaks to their staff but they work an eight hour shift and are paid 8 hours.

Is your daughter being stopped and hours wage for the lunch she never gets to take? that would be illegal.