work related

[dodobird]

should you be payed for your tea breaks

[Stu Dent]

Only if it says so in the terms and conditions of your contract. Otherwise there is no obligation to pay for meal breaks. But remember too that, if you're holidays are supplied in hours, you deduct those break times when you take a holiday.

[riskman]

Under the Working Time Directive if you work more than 6 hours you are entitled to a break away from your normal place of work - a quiet room etc. - this break is then paid as it forms part of your working day. Less than 6 hours you are not entitled to a break so if you get one it is unpaid.
Hope this helps...

[CheekyChops]

riskman, breaks are not paid just because you work more than 6 hours. I work 7 hours a day and get a 30 min break and this is not paid. Breaks do not have to be paid at all.

[daffy654]

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/do_my_daily _breaks_count_as_paid

[riskman]

hi cheekychops
so do you 'work' a 6 1/2 hour day for which you are paid or are you paid for 7 hours - can't have it both ways. However you are right that breaks don't have to be paid and this is important if paid an hourly rate rather than salary where they adjust the working hours so that you can't win. 40 hour week with paid lunch breaks or 35 hour with unpaid. Lets be honest so few people take their break entitlement its academic really...

[CheekyChops]

Hi Riskman, If I work 7.5 hours, I am paid for 7. Half hour lunch is not paid for and morning/afternoon tea breaks don't exist.

And for information, everyone I know, whether they work at my place or elsewhere, takes their breaks.