Reply to: Last orders for the lunchtime pint

[Scaroth of the Jagaroth]

I'm a 1960s monster in a skin suit... it must be me...

>parp<

[Scaroth of the Jagaroth]

Yes, and I think you still must be me as I'm balding, smell of Hi Karate and have started to sport a tash.

Hang on a minute, as a 1970s monster posing as an exiled Italian count living in Paris, that must surely be me.

[hyperD]

Ahhh, were you that bloke I materialised around in the 1980s in order to more closely study you humans and plan my fiendish scheme for taking over?

Yes, and I think you still must be me as I'm balding, smell of Hi Karate and have started to sport a tash.

[Francko]

There is a Health & Safety requirement to take regular breaks from working at a PC... can they specify how those breaks are spent?

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

"As the need for breaks depends on the nature and intensity of the
work, the Regulations require breaks or changes of activity but do
not specify their timing or length. However the guidance on the
Regulations explains general principles, for example short,frequent breaks are better than longer, less frequent ones. Ideally
the individual should have some discretion over when to take
breaks."

Typical british law style, as vague as possible so abuse can be easily achieved.

However, it seems to be in favour of smokers as they normally take shorter and more frequent breaks, rather than the fewer and longer tea breaks no-smokers have.

[The Master]

Spooky... did your TARDIS's chameleon circuit meant that we were one and the same in the 80's?

(Please don't hit me with your Tissue Compression Eliminator...!)

Ahhh, were you that bloke I materialised around in the 1980s in order to more closely study you humans and plan my fiendish scheme for taking over?

[The Master]

Was it Park Royal?

No, Cape Hill.

[Gold Dalek]

"And employees cannot refuse to comply with contracts which include such a ban, says Mr Jones. "There is no human right to alcohol." And in future, smokers could face employers who will make clear that there is no "right" to a cigarette break."

Better not tell that to the guys suing the prison service for depriving them of their methadone then.

There is a Health & Safety requirement to take regular breaks from working at a PC... can they specify how those breaks are spent?

[Joe Black]

"And employees cannot refuse to comply with contracts which include such a ban, says Mr Jones. "There is no human right to alcohol." And in future, smokers could face employers who will make clear that there is no "right" to a cigarette break."

Better not tell that to the guys suing the prison service for depriving them of their methadone then.

[hyperD]

Back in my 1980s permie days, I was with an employer that had a bar in the canteen...

I remember back in the 80's when I was a perm, one company I worked for had a bar in their canteen.

Spooky... did your TARDIS's chameleon circuit meant that we were one and the same in the 80's?

(Please don't hit me with your Tissue Compression Eliminator...!)

[DimPrawn]

Yes those heady Thatcherite days of long Champagne lunches, sports cars, high class call girls and outrageous expense claims.

Of course I was working in government at Westminster at the time so may not be typical.

[PRC1964]

Back in my 1980s permie days, I was with an employer that had a bar in the canteen, and every employee could have a free pint with lunch. Mind you, it was a brewer so possibly not typical.

Was it Park Royal?

[The Master]

Back in my 1980s permie days, I was with an employer that had a bar in the canteen, and every employee could have a free pint with lunch. Mind you, it was a brewer so possibly not typical.

[hyperD]

I remember back in the 80's when I was a perm, one company I worked for had a bar in their canteen. Perfectly normal to get a plate of burger, beans and mash and a pint of Double Diamond.

Even in the height of contracting - you know, the sunny Fridays, couple of blonde, frisky media gals, bottle of Cloudy Bay with lobster and chips, quick call to the project manager saying that you have another client to "service", leave your sports cars at the client's car park and book yourself into the nearest 5 star..... ah, halcyon days...

[The Master]

Sounds good to me, Franco.

Healthy, happy, relaxed employees = good work from good workers
Stressed, tired, adrenaline junky employees = sloppy work from burned out workers

[Francko]

What's the lunchtime culture like in Italy, Franco?

Well, still people enjoy taking a proper break I guess and I could hardly see anybody eating a sandwich in front of the monitor (can't say if in 5 years everything has changed). But it's not as you might expect that people eat for 2 hours and then have a nap for another 2 hours any longer (unfortunately, otherwise I would go back :-)).

In 2000 I had this fantastic canteen where for 1 pound you get a 3-course meal and the food was comparable to a good italian restaurant in London. Was hard to get back to work after, must admit.