Angela Austin asks : I work at a computer for seven hours a day from 10am until 5pm, could you please inform me of my break entitlements.
Careers consultant David Sanders answers:
The Working Time Regulations 1998 set out the guidelines for rest breaks at work and time off.
Employees are entitled to an uninterrupted break of 20 minutes when daily working time is more than six hours.
It should not be taken at the start or end of the day.
Workers are also entitled to a rest period of 11 consecutive hours in each 24 hour period.
There are circumstances in which the entitlement does not apply, such as where activities involve a need for continuity of service or where there is an expected workload increase.
Employees are entitled to one day off a week, which can be averaged over two weeks.
Concerns about health and safety such as this should be directed to your human resources department for a workstation assessment, which will make recommendations to prevent repetitive strain injury and back and eye-related problems.
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Send your career questions to keustice@london.newsquest.co.uk
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