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Meetings/Training during unpaid Lunch Hour

  • 09-12-2008 11:49am
    #1
    jenpup
    Closed Accounts Posts: 59 ✭✭


    Can your employer do this?

    My job are trying to make me go to training during my lunch - they are providing sandwhiches (disgusting ones)

    Can they make me go? i wouldn't have thought so as it is unpaid time and I thought it was mine to do with what I wish?


Comments

  • #2
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    If you refuse to go on the training you will destroy your relationship with your manager.

    I know which option I would choose...


  • #3
    jenpup
    Closed Accounts Posts: 59 ✭✭jenpup


    I know what you mean.

    But I have 2 dogs - I got them because I live near to home and I can go home at lunch to let them out to pee.

    it's hard to choose between my relationship with my manager and causing my dogs distress cos they have to hold their bowels for over 8 hours.

    it's not like I just want to go off with my friends - I have commitments and responsilbilies that my manager seems to think aren't important enough to be considered when organising training.


  • #4
    AARRRGH
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭AARRRGH


    So you spoke to your manager about skipping the training, and she said no?


  • #5
    kayos
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,494 ✭✭✭kayos


    Easy solution tell your manager fine but you will need to nip out for a few minutes before/after to take care of your dogs.

    Hell I'm a contractor and have been pulled up 3 times in the space of a week for not taking lunch. I prefer to work it and get off early. Basicly its in work place law, so HR said, that as a min you should have a 30minute break per day.


  • #6
    murphym7
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,036 ✭✭✭murphym7


    You are entilited to your break as per the working time act (1997) whether it be paid or unpaid. I would agree with AARRRGH about trying to keep a good relationship with your manager but you do need to put the foot down if you need to.

    If this is a once off I would not make a fuss, if it is an ongoing event I would refuse, especailly as it is unpaid.


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  • #7
    jenpup
    Closed Accounts Posts: 59 ✭✭jenpup


    murphym7 wrote: »
    You are entilited to your break as per the working time act (1997) whether it be paid or unpaid. I would agree with AARRRGH about trying to keep a good relationship with your manager but you do need to put the foot down if you need to.

    If this is a once off I would not make a fuss, if it is an ongoing event I would refuse, especailly as it is unpaid.

    it's happened a few time before I got the dogs - which is why I know the sandwhiches are disgusting - one time they didn't even provide enough - we all got one triangle.

    To go home do what I have to do and come back takes a 1/2 hour - usually I get about 20 mins at home for my lunch.

    it's the only thing I can do now, I'm not leaving them outside in the cold and rain and the 7month old definitely can't hold it that long during the day cos he drinks so much.


  • #8
    Glowing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,851 ✭✭✭Glowing


    You could try get a neighbour/relation to drop in on them for the couple of days perhaps? I don't agree with the training though, but sometimes you just have to do it ....


  • #9
    brightspark
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Or can you ask to take your break at another time (either a bit earlier or later)?


  • #10
    testicle
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,429 ✭✭✭testicle


    Dogs are well able to hold their bladder, and bowels for more than 8 hours.


  • #11
    cooperguy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,650 ✭✭✭cooperguy


    testicle wrote: »
    Dogs are well able to hold their bladder, and bowels for more than 8 hours.
    And are also more than capable of being outdoors. They are built for the outdoors afterall!


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  • #12
    Glowing
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,851 ✭✭✭Glowing


    I completely disagree with the last two comments.

    No, not all dogs can hold their bladders for 8 hours, and really, is it very fair to require them to do that?

    Secondly, not all dogs are built for an Irish winter. Greyhounds and lurchers for example don't have more than a thin layer of body fat and will not survive a winter outdoors. They're only rehomed to people to can provide an indoor, heated sleeping area. Yes many dogs have thick waterproof coats and can survive extreme temperatures, but it doesn't mean all of them can.


  • #13
    jenpup
    Closed Accounts Posts: 59 ✭✭jenpup


    brightspark wrote: »
    Or can you ask to take your break at another time (either a bit earlier or later)?

    Thanks, no, they are having it during our lunch hour so they don't lose out on working time.
    testicle wrote: »
    Dogs are well able to hold their bladder, and bowels for more than 8 hours.

    Your dog maybe, my dog who is only 7 months old can't - the older one can.
    cooperguy wrote: »
    And are also more than capable of being outdoors. They are built for the outdoors afterall!

    What if it rains? I don't have a kennel or shed - they get soaked and then it's freezing out, I then have 2 sick dogs. They are not used to being outside and have aclimated (sp?) to a life indoors.

    TBH I didn't ask for your opinion on when my dogs can go to the toilet or whether they can stay outside.

    I wanted to know whether my employer was able to make me give up my lunch hour for training.
    Glowing wrote: »
    I completely disagree with the last two comments.

    No, not all dogs can hold their bladders for 8 hours, and really, is it very fair to require them to do that?

    Secondly, not all dogs are built for an Irish winter. Greyhounds and lurchers for example don't have more than a thin layer of body fat and will not survive a winter outdoors. They're only rehomed to people to can provide an indoor, heated sleeping area. Yes many dogs have thick waterproof coats and can survive extreme temperatures, but it doesn't mean all of them can.

    Thanks Glowing.


  • #14
    ntlbell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,288 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    I would explain to them that you're fully commited to the training and would have no problem doing it and ask about taken the hour off at a different time

    e.g. if you lunch hour is 1-2

    take 11-12 off etc etc...

    but don't go in bulling and refusing to do it, communicate you're thoughts with your manager and try and come to happy medium but be firm and confident


  • #15
    _Kaiser_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭_Kaiser_


    Hmmm. I'm a bit conflicted here...

    On one hand I agree with the OP that her lunch hour is/should be her own to do with as she pleases.

    But on the other side I think it doesn't do any harm to show a bit of flexibility as long as this training isn't/doesn't become a regular occurance.

    And I have to say that I don't really think she should have 2 dogs at home if she's working all day and they can't be left outside/unattended till she returns, but that's just me. Either way, I don't think an employer is going to see it as a legitimate reason regardless of how valid it may be.

    Try and reach a compromise, but don't burn your bridges over it OP


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