What breaks would you/do you give?

[BusterBloodvessel]

Hi All,

Just looking for some thoughts or advice regarding breaks for the staff in our bakery/sandwich shop. We have noticed both staff using their phones and going for a vape more than we would like - it’s certainly not a “huge” problem but sometimes it’s clearly too easy to rush straight to answer a message from the boyfriend or have a minute or two vaping and scrolling through facebook, breaking off from a job in the process. Gentle reminders haven’t worked so with that in mind we are looking to implement a no-phones rule and set breaks for them where they can use their phone/have a vape. It is, to be fair, a busy job and always on their feet so I have no problem giving them a break but I would like it to be more structured that at present.

Legally (if I read correctly) we don’t have to give anything as shift lengths are typically only 5 or 6 hours, usually 8am or 9am until 2pm. So although we could say no break at all I don’t want to do that at this stage and hit morale.

Do any of you have people working similar hours and do you have anything in place, or any thoughts in general? I am currently thinking to offer a 15 minute break every 3 hours so they’d get one break in a shift, but smokers/vapers prefer more often, say 5 minutes every hour but it would almost seem a bit petty putting a 5 minutes per hour rule in place. I also want to try and avoid a large break during the dinner time rush (12-1) - so a 15 minute break at 11 (starting at 8) would be fine, but at 12 (starting at 9) would be a problem. As would both of them disappearing for 15 minutes at at a time.

Apologies, I know this probably sounds a bit rambley! I am just not sure how to approach this. Generally we have a good rapport with the staff and they are good workers, it’s just a little too easy for them to be distracted. We have asked them to “take it easy” with the time spent on their phone but I guess there is no clear definition for this.

I guess it’s a case of wanting to become more structured....without becoming TOO structured...if that makes sense! Or perhaps there is a better way of limiting their phone/vaping use.

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

 

[Onthebrightside]

I think the law says it's a break every 4 hours. That would be a 15 minute break if they were working 6 hours and a lunchbreak of at least half an hour if they are working 8 hours.

I would not let them have a 5 minute break every hour because it will never be a 5 minute break, it will eventually turn into a 15 minute break every hour. I've got mates that work at M&S, they are on their feet and stocking all day long (a couple of them are in their late 50s, one of them smokes), they only get the above breaks. Not smoking or vaping whilst at work is standard I feel.

Additionally, they are not allowed their phones on the shop floor. The staff that don't smoke and don't take their phones down on the shop floor say it pees them off when they see the kids have brought their phones down and are standing back of house texting people. Because whilst they are skiving someone else has to do their job.

Just don't send them both out at the same time, get them to stagger their breaks - this is standard stuff that happens all them time.

I think you need to be a bit more ridged about the working day to be honest, its nice to be nice but business is business Point out the them it is a competitive market place and making sure the correct staffing levels are maintained will ensure the bakery remains opens and supports all those it employs.

 

[Mr D]

20 minutes break minimum. For 6 hours.
Most places give half hour unpaid break for lunch in my experience. Some are flexible about how long the lunch is with a minimum that must be taken.

Have phones off or locked away during work time. Any emergencies or needing to contact a member of staff can come in on the business phone line.

Vape / smoke break? Start timing them. Then discuss with major problem people.

Used to know a couple of staff would take a 10 minute smoke break. Every hour.
Rather abusing things. First out the door when new manager took over.

 

[ecommerce84]

Assuming they are over 18 the law states that they are entitled to a 20 minute break (paid or unpaid depending on contract) if they work six hours or longer.

Those working 5 hours aren’t entitled to a break at all, legally.

I would agree with you that probably a mid morning break is a good idea though.

One other thought, your food management plan notes that staff should wash their hands after using the phone each time. If this were enforced to the letter and they are using their phone often, they’ll have very dry hands before long........!

 

[billybob99]

Don't the sandwiches get a smokey smell.

 

[Mr D]

Assuming they are over 18 the law states that they are entitled to a 20 minute break (paid or unpaid depending on contract) if they work six hours or longer.

Those working 5 hours aren’t entitled to a break at all, legally.

I would agree with you that probably a mid morning break is a good idea though.

One other thought, your food management plan notes that staff should wash their hands after using the phone each time. If this were enforced to the letter and they are using their phone often, they’ll have very dry hands before long........!

Perhaps some sort of cream for the hands to put on after washing?
To deal with dry skin.

 

[olivermason99]

I only believe in lunch break and cigarette break. thats it.

 

[Lisa Thomas]

I was always told anything over 4 hours meant a 20 minute break entitlement but perhaps that has changed.

Non smokers should be given same break rights as smokers.

The cigarette break should form part of the 20 minute break - why give them extra?

 

[alan1302]

I only believe in lunch break and cigarette break. thats it.

Why should you get a cig break?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I was always told anything over 4 hours meant a 20 minute break entitlement but perhaps that has changed.

Non smokers should be given same break rights as smokers.

The cigarette break should form part of the 20 minute break - why give them extra?

I agree with this as I have always said a 30 to 40 minute break when a driver is on a long run after 4 hours
Sometimes it is not just about complying with the law but offering what is fair

 

[Mr D]

I agree with this as I have always said a 30 to 40 minute break when a driver is on a long run after 4 hours
Sometimes it is not just about complying with the law but offering what is fair

Just so long as you know who is defining fair.
To some people that's 'you paying more than you do now' regardless of you meeting legal requirements.

 

[BusterBloodvessel]

Thanks for the replies everyone, a few ideas and comments to mull over. By the way, I didn't at all intend for a smoke break AS WELL as a break - it was more a case of would it be better to give them more regular short breaks for a quick vape than one 15 or 20 minute break.

I smoke myself (although more evening/socially) but occasionally during the day and I have never agreed with "additional" breaks or random "just nipping for a cig for 2 minutes" throughout the day. I have worked at places where that happened regularly and it just seemed completely unfair to me.

In fact at one place many many years ago we had 4 warehouse staff, 2 smoked and 2 didn't. The 2 non-smokers quite rightly got fed up with carrying on working while the others had a cigaratte, so they started all downing tools and they would just stand having a brew and a chat between themselves until the smokers had finished their cigarette, so the whole warehouse was grinding to a halt once an hour. Management soon reacted to that and sorted things out!

 

[Talay]

If you are paying more than NMW then you can pay non smokers more.

Read the riot act. No smoking at work.

Don't employ smokers. Sack anyone who starts to smoke.

We had one staff member who asked to come in earlier and leave later so they could have smoke breaks. That worked, in a sort of fashion but we couldn't police it.

Tea, coffee, smoke breaks, they are all a piss take. But you can't win. All you can do is to set a policy and cull anyone who takes liberties.

 

[BristolBiz]

How about treating staff as adults?

We let our people organise there own breaks, no set times for tea breaks or lunches. They decide amongst themselves according to daily workload.

Occasionally I have to make them go home at the end of the day, they're working late voluntarily!

 

[Mr D]

How about treating staff as adults?

We let our people organise there own breaks, no set times for tea breaks or lunches. They decide amongst themselves according to daily workload.

Occasionally I have to make them go home at the end of the day, they're working late voluntarily!

Great when you don't have sufficient demand at those times requiring staff be on hand to manage it.