breaks deducted off each hour of work time

[akashine691]

Hi, I am contracted to work 5 hours a day over 4 days a week, I am the administrator also, my work is in a care home and I dont take breaks because I only work 5 hours a day. My head office have said that everyone has 5 minutes for every hour deducted off our hours and we are paid the remainder, they even take this off our annual leave? can they take this off me when i work under the 6hr rule - they even do it to a man who works 3 hours a day! it is in our contract which we have to sign to start the job

[PAWS]

Re: breaks deducted off each hour of work time

Hello Akashine
I know many full and part time workers have paid short brakes but there are some contracts where breaks are unpaid. For example; lunchtime full hour breaks are seldom paid and if you get mid am & pm 15 minute unpaid breaks then you get paid for a six and half hour day even if you are ‘on site ‘ for eight hours. Some employers think that it is important for workers to take these breaks and in some organisations it is essential due to the nature of the work. By not paying for them they feel it encourages the worker to take the necessary break- If the job is extremely physical or mentally stressful for example. Many employers do not pay it because they are tight skinflints!
If the nature of your work means it would be impossible for you to stop work for 5 mins every hour and you were unaware this would be the case when you signed the contract then perhaps you might be able to challenge it but the truth is I am not sure. Perhaps someone with more extensive knowledge will be able to help.