• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Paid breaks ?

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Paid breaks ?

    Hi everyone,

    got a question :

    are UK contractors entitled to any paid breaks ? In my last 2 jobs I got 15 mins or so (so i got a 45 min lunch break , paid for 15 and not for 30) , but now nothing.

    Cant find anything on this in google so thought id ask you guys.

    Cheers

    I work 8.5 hour shifts btw 8-4:30

    #2
    I guess it depends on how your contract is worded.

    For me...I'm contracted for 40 hours a week, so I have to work 40 hours. They dont care if I take no lunch or 5 hours for lunch, as long as I work all those hours.

    So no, I don't get paid for having a lunch - just for working 40 hours a week.
    The pope is a tard.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Poom View Post
      Hi everyone,

      got a question :

      are UK contractors entitled to any paid breaks ? In my last 2 jobs I got 15 mins or so (so i got a 45 min lunch break , paid for 15 and not for 30) , but now nothing.

      Cant find anything on this in google so thought id ask you guys.

      Cheers

      I work 8.5 hour shifts btw 8-4:30
      Paid breaks? You're a contractor!
      ǝןqqıʍ

      Comment


        #4
        Sure, as a director of a limited company I can pay myself salary for as long a break as I want - 1 hour, 2 hours, half a day or more!

        However, I wouldn't expect my client to pay for any hours or minutes that I am sitting around in the pub or the local sushi bar.
        It's about time I changed this sig...

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by SallyAnne View Post
          I guess it depends on how your contract is worded.

          For me...I'm contracted for 40 hours a week, so I have to work 40 hours. They dont care if I take no lunch or 5 hours for lunch, as long as I work all those hours.

          So no, I don't get paid for having a lunch - just for working 40 hours a week.
          You are obliged by law to take at least one 30 minute break after 5 hours of working. Even if you work through this period without physically taking a break then this 30 minutes isn't counted.

          e.g. if you are obliged to work a 7.5 hr day then you will have to work 8 hrs, only 7.5 hrs of which you can charge for.
          It's Deja-vu all over again!

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Poom View Post
            Hi everyone,

            got a question :

            are UK contractors entitled to any paid breaks ? In my last 2 jobs I got 15 mins or so (so i got a 45 min lunch break , paid for 15 and not for 30) , but now nothing.

            Cant find anything on this in google so thought id ask you guys.

            Cheers

            I work 8.5 hour shifts btw 8-4:30
            I assume you mean lunch breaks and tea breaks.

            When my company contract was paid by the hour, I did not include breaks taken by the consultant when totalling up the hours.

            When my company contract was paid by the professional day, breaks are irrelevant. A day gets a rate regardless of the length.

            Is this what you are asking?

            Comment


              #7
              A couople of years back I realised 3 months after the event that I had invoiced a client for an entire 2 weeks that I had been on holiday in the South of France. I just invoiced for a normal month, they paid it and life went on. Mentioned it to my client contact and he said not to worry as it was to much of a hassle to correct it... that what I called getting a paid break

              Comment


                #8
                For one client some years ago, they (Inhuman Resources) were adamant that everyone took an hour for lunch. I was ordered (yes, ordered) to make my timesheets show this break and I wouldn't be paid for it.

                However, whenever any of the supplier staff were on site, I had to escort them everywhere. Frequently they would spend the day in the machine room or in the training suite. So I worked through lunch, unpaid and, presumably, uninsured.

                (But it's OK, it only worked out to about 100 to 120 hours unpaid. )
                Drivelling in TPD is not a mental health issue. We're just community blogging, that's all.

                Xenophon said: "CUK Geek of the Week". A gingerjedi certified "Elitist Tw@t". Posting rated @ 5 lard points

                Comment


                  #9
                  I didn't answer your question.

                  I keep a detailed log of my time on which I record start & stop times through the day. I 'stop the clock' when I go to the tea bar, lunch, sit around gossiping (non work subjects), went out for a smoke (I've since stopped) or anything else anyone might grizzle about.

                  When anyone has ever complained about my timekeeping or queried my timesheets (it always happens eventually) I direct the complainant at the person who signs my agency timesheet. If the signer ever queries anything I show them my detailed log and how the totals match the agency timesheet.

                  Complicated but saves any arguments. In particular when I was smoking, which is why I started the record.
                  Drivelling in TPD is not a mental health issue. We're just community blogging, that's all.

                  Xenophon said: "CUK Geek of the Week". A gingerjedi certified "Elitist Tw@t". Posting rated @ 5 lard points

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by KathyWoolfe View Post
                    You are obliged by law to take at least one 30 minute break after 5 hours of working. Even if you work through this period without physically taking a break then this 30 minutes isn't counted.

                    e.g. if you are obliged to work a 7.5 hr day then you will have to work 8 hrs, only 7.5 hrs of which you can charge for.
                    Well unless "the law" comes and sits behind my desk and orders me to waste half an hour of my day, I'll be claiming for all 8 hours, thanks very much.
                    The pope is a tard.

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X