In the UK what are my rights regarding work?

Question

I am 16, i work in a restaurant and yesterday they made us work 10 hours without a break or anything to eat. Surely this cant be allowed, but i don't know who to complain to!

Answer 1

Hi!

I had this problem with my daughter last year!

She was expected to do EXACTLY what you were made to you .

Unfortunately, you'll find that the catering trade makes it's own rules about the working directives.

HOWEVER, as a 16 year old you have EXTRA protection.

They CANNOT make you work for 10 hours without food and drink or a break.

You need to give ACAS a ring, or visit their website:

www.acas.org.uk

Telephone: [phone]

They will be able to help you and let you know who you need to take this up with.

Hope this helps, and best of luck!

Answer 2

By law, you are entitled to 15 minutes in every 4 hours at 16.
If this happens again, when you get to 4 hours into your shift, speak to the manager/supervior and say that you are supposed to have a break every 4 hours for 15 minutes and you would like to take it now. By rights they cannot stop you, and if they try to make sure that you say to them "this is the law, as you are aware and so I shouldnt imagine you will have a problem? I`ll only be 15 minutes" They should consider bnreaks when rostering the staff for the shift.
Be aware though that if you go without permission you will be in trouble, walking off a shift in most catering jobs will earn you disciplinary action.
If it continues, join a union, most are free of really cheap, and they advise your union representative. I would think that as soon as your employer knows that the union are made aware, they will change.

Answer 3

I am fairly certain that you are entitled to a 15 minute break after 6 hours work. That was certainly the case when I was in charge of Health and Safety at work a few years ago, anyway.
You could ring Citizen's Advice, or else go to the Health and Safety web site
www.hse.gov.uk
where they will have all that kind of information.

Employers get crafty though, and if they employ you on an hour by hour basis without any contract, you might ultimately find you have no 'rights' and if you argue they just don't give you any more work :-(

Hope this info helps!

Answer 4

In theory - no, its not allowed you are entitled to a break BUT as a chef and restaurenteur for well over 10 years its pretty normal to rack up horrendous hours in catering. I've worked 20 hr days quite often in the past. Not saying its right but its sometimes not relevant to 'down tools' at a set time when meals and drinks are there to be served.
Mention it to your boss but if you don't want to work these sort of shifts I'm afraid you might have to change your job.

Answer 5

Unless you have agreed "a contract" in writing or verbally, which limits the number of hours you are required to work in any 24 hour period, the employer is not contravening employment law. But they would be contravening employment law if they worked you 10 hour shifts for 5 or more days per week, unless you had signed a waiver in agreeing to work longer hours.

As to who to complain to, you could tell your boss you are leaving because you do not like their pay, conditons and hours. But then you would be "unemployed" AND if you then try and find another job they might give you a bad reference such as in saying you are "lazy and uncooperative" or some such thing that will block your chances of getting another job!

it's tough,but If you stick with them and just grin and bear the hours, you may find in time you adapt to them and perhaps even find you enjoy your work, and enjoy even more spending the wages.

My advice is "don't complain YET". See how it goes, but start looking for alternative jobs in case you do decide to leave at a future date. Good luck.

Answer 6

Complain to ACAS, after working 6 hours you are entitled to a 20 minute break.

Answer 7

no it is not allowed is far as i know t 16 you have to have a break every 3 or 4 hours you need to complain directly to the manager tell him/her that it is illegal to ask you to do this.
They can't sack you for standing up to them. Ten hours would not be allowed for anybody any age.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

That shouldn't be allowed. You need to talk to your employer and make him aware of the hours you were expected to work. If you get nothing, approach the Citizens Advice Bureau. It is free of charge, and they know a great deal about employment law.

Answer 10

You are entitled to a break every 4 hours, go to you local citizens advice and find out where you can go to complain, that is ridiculous, I hope they get fined.