Work Breaks.

[DanFlo]

Taking breaks and lunch at work. What's the employees rights to a break and what's the time allowance before taking a break to wash hands etc?

[fiction-factory]

When I was working in HR aout 10 years ago it was a minimum of 20 minute break (can be unpaid- usually is) for shifts of 6 hours or more. It is common though for longer breaks to be given.
Handwashing/toilet breaks are more difficult- it is usual for employers to allow toilet breaks when needed provided it isn't abused (I remember one workplace where some spent 15 minutes as a matter of course putting on make up and chatting in the washrooms before lunch), but some roles do require you to be in place at your workstation throughout your shift

[fiction-factory]

Found this:
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1373

[woofgang]

https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work

[pixie374]

It depends where, as well. Some environments are considered as "exceptional circumstances" and so, get around it that way.

[Buenchico]

If your shift doesn't exceed 6 hours you're not entitled to any breaks.

If your shift exceeds 6 hours you're entitled to one 20-minute unpaid break. (That's neither cumulative nor progressive. If you work a 15-hour shift you're still only entitled to a single 20-minute break).

Handwashing, etc, prior to consuming food has to be done within that 20-minute period.

Obviously:
(a) an employer can provide longer breaks (and even pay staff during them) if they choose to do so ; and
(b) employers must allow reasonable 'toilet breaks' during working hours.

[woofgang]

where I worked in the NHS, we had additional rules that breaks could not be "saved up" so you couldn't say "I didn't get a break yesterday, I can have two today" and you couldn't take your break at the end of your working day and use it to go home early.