My usual summer job of nights at ASDA has fallen through so I've found myself working in a supermarket distribution centre.
It's absolutely gruelling I wouldn't mind it particularly if they didn't enforce six hours without so much as a cig break being allowed. The shifts are nine hours and only one 30 minute break is given, when the manager says you can.
I thought the H&SAW1974 specified a 5 mins break for every hour?
No. You have the right to one 20 minute unpaid rest break per working day, if you work over 6 hours. Your employer is able to designate those breaks at their discretion, though the break is only legally valid if it is uninterrupted for those 20 minutes, and you are able to take that break 'away from your work' - i.e not still sat on a forklift or whatever.
There's certain specific guidance on workers continuously operating in ways considered 'monotonous', but that is typically for people on production lines and the like, I would make the assumption your work is considered varied enough to not fall under this. The '5 minute break every hour' probably comes from HSAW regs on computer users, in that employers have to provide people using visual displays certain extra breaks (and the 5 mins per hour is a recommended example) or changes in work tasks, but it's not so much a law that they have to take those breaks, rather that they should be provided or catered for without question.
Basically, you get ten minutes more than is legally required, so well done you.
>The shifts are nine hours and only one 30 minute break is given, when the manager says you can.
What was the break policy in the store?
The policy you've got now is similar to a lot of different work environments, from warehouses to kitchen work (although you might get free food in a fast food place so there's a minor bonus). Supermarkets are just a bit of an easy min wage job as far as I can tell, you've been spoiled.
>Fair enough, but six hours without a break, constantly on your feet is fucking atrocious.
As resident cheflad, it's my duty to tell you to fuck right off and try 14 hours, but I do understand your pain. You will get used to it, especially if you keep yourself busy enough that the clock ticks faster (easier said than done, I know)
I also recommend you get some nice gel insoles for your shoes/boots. Scholl's are great and only about a tenner.
>>12385 It's absolute tedium. Even when "busy" - it's the most mind numbing work that in a lot of places has been automated. 9 hours feels like 9 months. I have insoles.
>>12383 The supermarket was about £3 over minimum wage - night work.
The break was, across 8 hours, up to 30 mins (unpaid) for dinner break, and another 10 min (paid) break towards the end of the night, but you could take them whenever you felt like. If you took less break you'd be paid.
>>12388 I should also add I've worked in a car factory - 9h30 shifts with regular, timed breaks and allowances made for small rests. The union was particularly strong there, thought.
Well, the job has brought my long-dormant joint problems back - I had to crawl up and down stairs; that's the end of that, I guess.
I tried explaining this to the agency and the first time they didn't listen to a word I said, offering me the job I'm already on. When I said everything again, and asked if they had any less physical jobs - driving, or data entry for example, I got the world's blankest look, like I'd spoken to them in Klingon.
I've said I can't work until I get a doctor's appointment. Trying to fight for a doctor's appointment is battle royale on the phone lines.
Looking for temporary jobs, you either need a class C+ licence to drive, or it's the same brutal warehouse work which my own body will not let me do.