Lunch Breaks

[ionna]

Hi,

I've just started my first contract and was hoping for a bit of advice. Basically do I HAVE to take a lunch break or can I opt out?

I've chosen to contract because I work around 2 small children so I can't commit to long term work - the 6 week contract I have got is fantastic. Anyway, due to school hours I can't work any more than 9-5 i.e. 8 hours a day. If I take a lunch break every day I can't do the 40 hour week I'm contracted to do.

I've got my own limited company which I am a director of if it makes any difference!

thanks for your help!
ionna
:-)

[Torran]

What does your contract say?

In my present role the agency timesheet system won't accept anything less than 30 mins for lunch. I have explained this to the timesheet authoriser and adjust my start time accordingly if I don't take a break.

Other places it won't matter a jot.

[BrilloPad]

I am suprised you didn't sort this out before you started. Personally I would work 9-5 and see if anyone objects. If your work if fine then I doubt there will be an issue.

[TheFaQQer]

Doesn't the working time directive say something about needing to take a break? Of course, that it an issue for your employer rather than your client.

I wouldn't bother about it - in fact, I'd take an hour for lunch and bill it anyway. Only cut back if the client moans too loudly about it.

[Svalbaard]

If you are in a professional role (Manager, PM, developer, BA... that sort of thing) that I doubt anyone will complain, or even notice. If you were a cleaner for example, where they are generally tightly controlled with time cards and such like, then it would probably be different.

[Maslins]

There's employment laws about taking a minimum X minutes break for every Y hours worked, but as a contractor, you're not an employee, so the rules don't apply to you.

I suggest you either follow TheFaQQer's advice and just bill the client whilst taking a lunch, or, if you're a bit more concerned, take in sandwiches and work through lunch. If the client comments, simply say you're ensuring you still do your 40 hours/week and can't start earlier/leave later due to children commitments.

[TheFaQQer]

There's employment laws about taking a minimum X minutes break for every Y hours worked, but as a contractor, you're not an employee, so the rules don't apply to you.

When working, you are always an employee of a company, so the rules will still apply. As I said, though, it's an issue that needs to be resolved with your employer, not your client.

[ionna]

hey,

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'm an ASP.NET developer working through an agency so I have to complete a timesheet every week. The client doesn't really bother - they are pretty flexible so I've been eating sarnies at my desk. I think it is more me that is worried about doing the full 40 hours so that I get paid the maximum!

But since I am both employer (it's my limited company that I work for) and employee I'm worried that I am in breach of the working time regulations by choosing not to take my breaks and hoped someone would know if what I'm doing is legally OK - or at least is probably legally OK...

cheers
ionna

[singhr]

just work at twice your normal speed for a couple of hours a day to make up the shortfall

[Andy2]

contractors are known for coming late ,leaving early and long lunch breaks
why break the tradition