Work through lunch?

Question

For the last three years I have worked through my lunch hour and left an hour early. This means I can drop my daughter at breakfast club and pick her up after school. I work 37 hours a week as a science technician, often working a few hours to complete tasks outside school. I am in the UK
I do not want to stop for lunch. I work 7.5 hours a day. Is there a problem with this?

Answer 1

Not at all....congratulations on finding a schedule that works for you. I also work through lunch most of the time. My children are grown now...but I remember how hard it was to be able to do those things.....It just makes this frazzled and hectic especially when one person isn't ready or running late.....Keep up the great parenting.

Answer 2

If your employer knows you work through your lunch break fine. But I do wonder why are you asking this question if you are happy with the way things are, is someone giving you grief at work over it? If so tell them it's their problem not yours. 'Don't fix it if it ain't broke'

I do not advocate working through lunch breaks I did for many years (my choice) and my employer took a lend of me and expected me to do it all the time. Apart from getting run down by working without a break I am not sure about the HS Act, your employer may be in breach of HSE regulations. Why not start planning now for making alternatives arrangements for your daughter's care for when she is a little older. Alternative arrangements could free your time up so you can take your lunch break even if it is only 1/2 hour, it would give you a little respite and make the day more bearable.

Answer 3

Not a problem as such, Employers are obligied to make sure you have least a non-stop 30 minute break. Use the time to go for a walk around the school grounds - you'll be glad of the fresh(ish) air and the chance of 'natural' light for a while.

I take 30 mins, and use the time to go out and get a newspaper, a sandwich and some fresh air - it's nice to get away from my computer and colleagues (as much as I love them). The danger of staying in your work space all the time, is that people will start to take 'advantage' of you being there all the time. Consider it as 'Me Time'.

Answer 4

yes, under the working time directive you are obliged to take a minimum of 20 mins rest break. This break can not be take at the beginning or end of a shift. Unlike the 48 hour rule, you can not opt out of this and your employer should enforce it (if you have an accident due to not taking a break, the company could be sued)

Answer 5

what do you mean by work through lunch? Does it mean you continue working without having lunch?

Answer 6

it breaks the rules if you don't stop for a 20 minute break within the first 6 hours.

You employer should be pointing this out to you as is their duty.

Whether they stop you from doing though is another matter altogether. So long as you are free to revert to your lunch hour if required then so be it.

Answer 7

yes this will cause problems for your employer. There is a legal requirement for employers to offer all employees who work longer than a six hour shift a minimum break of 20 minutes.
The health and safety section of the business link website will give you more information.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk

Answer 8

Have you experienced any problems? If not then no.

Before a culture started to 'modernise' (cant remember which one) they never used to eat lunch at all...

If you start feeling tired and have the need for lunch maybe you could eat it when waiting for your daughter (in the car after school)??

Answer 9

Not if you worked for me, but I would check with your Human Resources/ Employer and get it written into your work contract then nobody can accuse you of leaving early etc.

This can be considered one form of Flexi-Time.

Answer 10

no i work for 8 hrs and have a 10 minute lunch.