Lunch breaks - compulsory in UK?

[tinkerbells]

Hi
I understand that the Working Time regs stipulate that an employee is ENTITLED to a 30 min lunchbreak but does anyone know how the law stands regarding whether or not it is COMPULSORY for an employee to take a lunch break? My colleagues and I all work through our lunch so that we can leave early.

Also does the entitlement of 30 mins change once an employee works 7 hours? If anyone could direct me to a link which clarifies entitlement vs compulsory I would be grateful.

Many thanks.

[annie0000]

If you work longer than 6 hours, you must take a 20 minute break that cannot be at the beginning or end of that time period.

[annie0000]

Here is the link - looks like you may choose not to take them but you are contravening health and safety and would have a hard job claiming if someone were to have an accident or work related illness:

http://www.direct.gov...ndTimeOff/DG_10029451

[THECORBYLOON]

EDDIE, do you have a link to say it's compulsory?

[LoftyLottie]

It is compulsory for employers to to allow a break. It is only recommended that you take them.

http://www.direct.gov...ndTimeOff/DG_10029451

[woofgang]

When I was a manager we didn't allow folk to go home early or start late in place of a lunch break because we as a management team felt that the job was too strenuous to go a whole day without a break, not least to eat and drink. The working week was 40 hours over 5 days but that allowed for 45 minutes a day unpaid breaks. Ie pay was structured over 36 hours.

[ojread2]

it also depends on the type of work you do
Check annie's link for the right answer

[LoftyLottie]

I agree Eddie. If it's an informal arrangement though and suits everybody and it's only a smallish company then I don't suppose there will be any repercussions. It wouldn't be allowed in any public sector employment or large companies though.

[thugulike]

Under the WTR the break does not have to be paid.