Shall we do lunch?
by Sarah
Statistics released today show that one in five workers do not take a lunch break. I have to confess often myself included. However, employers may be rubbing their hands with glee at the thought of getting more out of staff but they need to think of the bigger picture.
In fact, they could be failing in their obligations under the Working Time Regulations which state that where a worker’s daily working time is more than six hours, they are entitled to a rest break of not less than 20 minutes. Also in the long term this can affect their health and ability to do the job.
Interestingly, the same survey team in a different survey found that nearly one quarter of those employees surveyed enjoy an alcoholic drink during their lunchbreak. It would seem there for that since 20% do not take lunch breaks, that actually, it is 25% of the remaining 80% that enjoy a tipple or too. Normally this is more often the case in the summer as employees enjoy sitting outside down the pub in their lunchbreak.
There is a fine line however to be drawn and the employee must be careful that he/she is not contravening health and safety by working in the afternoon under the influence of alcohol. This is particularly the case when they are due to get behind the wheel or operate machinery.
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