Smoking -Money Deducted from Wages

[jazzhands]

Last Thursday our Manager announced that anyone wishing to take a smoking break would be docked 10 minutes pay in the morning and 10 minutes pay in the afternoon - alternatively, we could take 10 minutes from our half hour lunch break for 1 of the breaks, meaning we would only get docked 10 minutes pay per day. When it was argued that a cigarette only takes 5 minutes, he said that the other 5 minutes should be taken up cleaning our teeth and spraying ourselves with perfume / body spray. He told us that this would come in effect as from yesterday (Monday - the start of the week). I got my pay slip today and he has deducted £34.50 for 'smoking' which is the amount for the whole month. None of this has been put in writing - where do I stand?

[wales01man]

Re: Smoking -Money Deducted from Wages

I do not know the wrongs and rights of this but can I ask if the non smokers stop working as well for the amount of time taken to smoke a fag?

[des8]

Re: Smoking -Money Deducted from Wages

If you work more than 6 hours you have a right to (wait for it) one 20 minute break per day!
Unless your contract states otherwise , employees have no right to smoking breaks or paid rest breaks.

The position might be different if you have always previously been allowed smoking breaks.
It might then be arguable that smoking breaks are part of your contract by custom and practice.

Others will have more advice