Hi everyone,
Just thought i would share my experience with you in case anyone else has the same problems.
I work at a local retail outlet which is a national company, I only work 4 hours but as my contract states 6 hours i still get paid for 6. I have been very happy there over the past 2 1/2 years and enjoy working my Sundays there where i am a supervisor with one other young girl employee.
On Sunday i opened up the shop and as i get paid for 6 hours i usually go in at least an hour early and clean the shop for them, i do this off my own back i have not been asked to do it, it is the guilt thing about being paid for time i have not worked.
Anyway i digress, this Sunday I found a email from the shop manager to the area manager on the computer asking the law on breaks as she wanted to make sure her ‘Sunday Workers’ were not taking more time than they were allowed for breaks if any! Obviously this was meant about me as the young girl i work with never has a break and i have one to take my medication which has to be taken with food. This was agreed at interview and up till now has never been a problem.
I went into the staff room and there was a poster on the staff notice board stating that if you work under 6 hours you are not entitled to a break, It is the Law. Ok, i know that already but was not sure if it applied to me so i did not sign it, i had an uneasy feeling after seiing the email that it would not be in my best interest to do so.
First thing Monday morning i phoned my union, I have always been a paid up member even though i only work a few hours, you never know with companies in these times what they are up to.
I was told:
Do not sign the notice as it would be a sign that i am prepared to give up my breaks
Cancer and anyone who has had cancer in the past is protected by the disability discrimination act.
As i am recovering from cancer and have to take medication with food at specific times i am covered by the disability rehabilitation act,It does not matter how many hours i work, 3 or 8 i have to have breaks by law to take my medication and a time limit cannot be enforced on this as long as i take reasonable time to do so, it can’t be done in 10 mins i usually take 15 to 20 mins which is perfectly acceptable, taking an hour would be taking the wet and i would not do this.
If i have any more problems whatsoever regarding this matter then the union will step in for me as the company will be breaking the law!
Hope this is helpful to anyone else who is working, sorry it went on a bit but we all have to stick together. I daresay i will be in the
poo for not signing the poster and when i have to explain why but somebody has to take a stand and if they sack me then the union will have a field day.
Best wishes to everyone out there,
Suzy