What are the legal requirements for breaks at work?

Question

On some days, I start work from 11am till 'Close', and close is anything from around 10.30pm - 12.30am. So, the shift is sometimes 12 hours are more.
We have to take a break of one hour, at approxmiately 3pm. At 4pm, I start work once again, and will sometimes be working from 4pm - 12am, 8 hours without a break.

What am I actually entitled to?

Answer 1

The working hours depend upon the laws of the state where you are employed . Continuous working of 8 hours is not illegal and the law, unfortunately allows it !!

Answer 2

By federal law, you are entitled to at least 30 minutes for lunch, a 15 minute break in the morning and a 15 minute break in the afternoon, based on an eight-hour day. Of course, this is different when you're a shift worker, but those are guidelines set by the Federal government.

Check with the National Labor Relations Board for your specific hours.

Good luck.

Answer 3

It depends on a number of things, such as do you operate machinery, and other H&S issues. If you are sitting in front of a computer screen in an office then I think it is 6 hours max without a break and the break should last at least 15 minutes.

As far as lunch is concerned I think the legal minimum under H&S guidelines is only half hour although most people take an hour.....so excluding your lunch break if you are working more than 6 hours you are probably in breach of something...

Answer 4

In factories, even in cold temperatures (where Health and Safety regulations state you are entitled to longer/more often breaks) even well known UK companies are forcing employees to work 8 hours with 2 x 20 minute breaks. The 20 minutes counting from leaving the line to getting back.

Forget the Unions - this is just another training ground for future Labour (???) MP's.

Maggie Thatcher screwed you - and New Labour (???) has just proved you are going to stay screwed until you do something about it.

Answer 5

Hi Bob,I think you might find there has been some new work time directives that come out a few year ago, the break times for employee's changed from a 20min break every 4hours to a 20min undisturbed break every 6 hours.You are also entitled to an 11 hour rest period between each shift.Look it up on the web under employee's working hours & break entitlements.Hope this help.

Answer 6

You are entitled to a break every four hours of half an hour. I would say sod that you want a break of one hour as stated and another sometime between 6 and 8 for an hour(be flexible)
If your employer will not agree find another job and tell him to place his where the sun don't shine

Answer 7

ALL the other answerers do not know what they are talking about.

First, we have to know where you live and work as laws vary by country and state.

In the good ole USA, there are NO federal laws concerning breaks. Your employer can require you to work without a break as long as you put up with it.

Give us more info and we might be able to actually give you a real answer.

Or call your local/state department of labor and ask them.

Answer 8

You don't say where you live, so nobody can really answer that question.

If you are in the US, there is no federal law requiring any breaks or lunch breaks. Some states do have laws requiring them after a certain period of time - most don't. Unless you are in one of those states, your hours are legal and there are no requirements for them to give you breaks.

Answer 9

Do you belong to a union?The union ought to have the potential to propose you as this could remember upon the form of artwork you do. the government branch of labour and marketplace is likewise a place that ought to have the potential to grant you this techniques. The links under could be powerful

Answer 10

You are entitled to a 20 minute break if you work for more than 6 hours, according to this government website, which also has advice for what to do if your employer is breaking the regulations.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451