is this allowed??? part time work??

Question

Hi
my daughter is 16 and works weekends for a retail store!
she has only been there for 2 weekends!
today she worked 5 hours and was told at the start of her employment(contract) she is entitled to a 15 min break for 4 and a half hours of work1
when she asked for her break today they said NO as there is too much to do!!!
is there a law against this?
also the woman who is working there is making her life hell by constantly having a go at her and huffing at her!
should i go in and have a word??

UK........

scobill
my daughter is very honest!!

and she is NOT an adult..she is 16!!
she is a child!!

sarah!
im sorry but i am her mum and if nothing is sorted then i will step in
it's called being a parent!

Answer 1

If your daughter is being denied her breaks, this is at the very least breach of contract on the employers part. Entitlement to breaks comes under the working time regulations nad for an adult equates to a 20 minute break where the shift is 6 hours or longer, this can be paid or unpaid and the company is under no obligation to ensure it is taken but must ensure it is made available to the employee. I'm sure i read somewhere that the laws were different for those under 18 and that they are entitled to 15 minutes for every 4 hours - I can't confirm this at the moment though so don't take it as gospel.
On a practical note I wouldn't go into your daughters work. The whole point of her first job is to teach her responsibility and she must learn to stick up for herself against tyranical managers. Advise her but do not do it for her and remember that the complaints process is always open to her, as she's a minor you should be able to sit in on this.

Answer 2

Is it in writing that she gets a 15 min. break after four and a half hours of work? If not, what is the state law regarding 16 year olds, and working/breaks? Also, this "woman" who keeps huffing and puffing, she's probably just throwing her weight around and unfortunately your daughter is at the end of her tirades. Retail work is brutal. I did it for several years. Also, this "woman" might have had previous trouble with teenagers in her department, so she thinks all teenagers are the same, which of course they're not. How does your daughter feel about it? Would she want you to intervene? First though, I would find out for sure about the state laws, the employment contract and whether you're daughter wants you to step in or not. Perhaps she wants to take care of it herself but with your support.

Take care.

Answer 3

If you are in the UK then your daughter will be covered by the working Time Directive Regulations which state that a 15 minute unpaid or paid break must be given to those people 16 and under for every 4 and a half hours worked.

I would get her to check her contract then speak to her supervisor or store manager

Answer 4

You should not go in and speak to her boss. And as a 16 year old, she ought to have the energy to stick out 5 hours of work without a break. She's entitled to 15 min. When you're working in a busy place, there is no guarantee that you will get that 15 min. after 4 & 1/2 hours on the dot. No one can just drop what they're doing and run off for a break. You take breaks when they're convenient.

Answer 5

Not sure which state you're in. Labor laws vary by state.
In any event, employers can not deny an employee any break earned by working a set amount of hours. Have your daughter document the date, time and name of the person that denied the break and then have her contact that person's boss. Only after you have made an attempt to get the problem fixed within the company can you go to the state or federal employment agencies for help (they will ask for the date, time, names and outcome in order to process your complaint.). Also, if your daughter is working under a work permit issued by her school, contact the administrator that issued the permit to find out what they recommend, sometimes they can help out too.

Answer 6

At 16 your daughter is an adult and you must not go in and try and sort this out
You can obviously encourage her and suggest things , but remember there are two sides to every story and although yo obviously will believe your daughter there may just be something she is not telling you
This is obviously her first experience of the working world and maybe she has not quite grasped the difference , however her employers should know this and be coaching and encouraging her .
If she is genuinely not getting things that were promised , she should quietly ask her supervisor why not , and she should also be getting a regular one to one meeting with her supervisor no matter how busy they might be

Answer 7

Labor laws like this vary from state to state. But I know that in New York companies are mandated to give you a half hour break after working 6 hours. Since she worked less than six, legally she may not have been required to get one.

Answer 8

legally if you work 4 hours or more you have to be given a 15 minute unpaid break. it's up to the employer to choose when to give it, as it can't be done if the store is too busy, BUT they have to give it

Answer 9

that is illegal it says in my contract by law someone her age is entitled to atleast 15 mins every 4 hours, what is more it is really lousy to only get 15 mins, and she should deffinately complain about it or even better leave, they are very exploitative!

Answer 10

she is 16 so let her learn to stand up for herself, the time thing i ain't sure but may be having a break just before she finishes is the reason.suggest she asks for it a little earlier .failing that start looking for a new job.