Taking breaks

[Brian Potter]

Yes but like I said I was also told that in the interview. However as for working hours I dont mind if they scrutinise, I'm doing what I'm contracted to do easily so nothing they can complain of in that regard and nothing they can moan about work wise either. After looking into it they cannot force me to take a break so push comes to shove I'll walk. Its not about the break, its about them getting more hours out of people for free and frankly this job doesnt pay well enough for me to give a tulip





No, I'm just not having the piss taken out of me. They keep changing the goal posts not me, I've exceeded every expectation (from feedback) so far and they havent got the numbers they need so they are pushing for more out of what they have. Thats all well and dandy for them but not for me and I'm not the sort of person who is going to roll over

You'll walk over having to take a break? Not bothered about the hours but you're upset about having to take a break? What's the rate and what's the job?

Can't believe someone would 'walk' just over a break?

[SueEllen]

Yes but like I said I was also told that in the interview. However as for working hours I dont mind if they scrutinise, I'm doing what I'm contracted to do easily so nothing they can complain of in that regard and nothing they can moan about work wise either. After looking into it they cannot force me to take a break so push comes to shove I'll walk. Its not about the break, its about them getting more hours out of people for free and frankly this job doesnt pay well enough for me to give a tulip

If you were told that at the interview then why didn't you tell the agency to change your contract to suit you?

Oh I forgot you didn't read it.

No, I'm just not having the piss taken out of me. They keep changing the goal posts not me, I've exceeded every expectation (from feedback) so far and they havent got the numbers they need so they are pushing for more out of what they have. Thats all well and dandy for them but not for me and I'm not the sort of person who is going to roll over

So the issue isn't the break but the working environment.

Well you are a contractor - do your work and go home.

If they give you tulip give them tulip back and don't be surprised if you aren't extended at the end of the contract.

Though personally I find it's me turning down extensions rather than not being extended if the client is tulip.....

[Old Greg]

If you were told that at the interview then why didn't you tell the agency to change your contract to suit you?

Oh I forgot you didn't read it.


So the issue isn't the break but the working environment.

Well you are a contractor - do your work and go home.

If they give you tulip give them tulip back and don't be surprised if you aren't extended at the end of the contract.

Though personally I find it's me turning down extensions rather than not being extended if the client is tulip.....

If the working environment is poor, I advise that I will be working from my home office and attending site when a face to face meeting is required, and I aim the schedule these on one or two days per week. It cuts down on travel costs as well.

[SueEllen]

If the working environment is poor, I advise that I will be working from my home office and attending site when a face to face meeting is required, and I aim the schedule these on one or two days per week. It cuts down on travel costs as well.

You haven't met one of my ex-clients and how they scheduled meetings which had to be face to face. All the people in the room were shocked when I said very loudly to one of the managers - "Why do you like wasting people's time?"

[ASB]

If the client is legally required to provide breaks, are you as a contractor legally obliged to take them?

No.

but I doubt that is the question you meant to ask. That would be "if you exercise your right not to take a mandated break does that count as chargeable time". Grey area. It would be hard to argue for it.

There is no right to pay. The requirement is in fact for 20 mins on a six hour shift. But there are exceptions.

[Old Greg]

You haven't met one of my ex-clients and how they scheduled meetings which had to be face to face. All the people in the room were shocked when I said very loudly to one of the managers - "Why do you like wasting people's time?"

Did s/he schedule a face-to-face meeting to explore it?

[SueEllen]

Did s/he schedule a face-to-face meeting to explore it?

He just looked like this

Then others including client managers started to decline his meetings or walk out during them.

Oddly I was offered an extension.....

[SpontaneousOrder]

No.

but I doubt that is the question you meant to ask. That would be "if you exercise your right not to take a mandated break does that count as chargeable time". Grey area. It would be hard to argue for it.

There is no right to pay. The requirement is in fact for 20 mins on a six hour shift. But there are exceptions.

That's a good point. BUT.. if I'm not required to take the break then it can't be a show-stopper from a h&s point of view. With that being the case, then I'd be much more comfortable (if it were important to me) saying "these are the hours I'm doing - if you don't like it then I'll give my notice".

[ASB]

That's a good point. BUT.. if I'm not required to take the break then it can't be a show-stopper from a h&s point of view. With that being the case, then I'd be much more comfortable (if it were important to me) saying "these are the hours I'm doing - if you don't like it then I'll give my notice".

Assuming you profession does not require mandated breaks for H&S then I can see your point. However, the issue I would see is that the working time regs allow for it. One could make a hypothetical case that one only work the break because the employer effectively forces and removes your right be stealth. Hence the potential differentiation.

But, there is no harm in approaching them and putting forward a view of "look travel is difficult etc, so I'd prefer to work through the break, is this OK?".

[northernladuk]

But, there is no harm in approaching them and putting forward a view of "look travel is difficult etc, so I'd prefer to work through the break, is this OK?".

Apart from the fact you put yourself firmly on their radar and don't expect any more flexibility from the client when you really need it.