Legal driving hours and breaks

[bandit69]

A friend of mine works as a driver for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. He has recently been disciplined for taking a toilet break at his home address which was on the way to his next drop. He was informed that he was not entitled to a break as he didn't work over 6 hours per day. He was told that if he needed a toilet break he should use a public toilet, customer toilet or a supermarket. It appears that the company are not annoyed that he stopped, but that he stopped at home even though he did not go off route or stop for too long.

Surely he must be entitled to some break when driving for all this time? Also are the company being unreasonable dictatnig where he goes to the toilet?

[CheekyChops]

You are only entitled by law toa rest break of 20 mins if you work over six hours. For a shift of exactly 6 hours, unfortunately you are not entiteled to a break at all.

Not sure if they can dictate where he goes to the loo although I can sort of understand why they don't like him going home.

More info here.

[CheekyChops]

Just found this regarding drivers which may apply:

The nonstop driving time may not exceed 4.5 hours. After 4.5 hours of driving the driver must take a break period of at least 45 minutes. however, this can be split into 2 breaks, the first being at least 15 minutes, and the second being at least 30 minutes in length

[maxi2]

What sort of employer gets uptight about this? How tiny-minded.