You are required to ensure that your employees are getting adequate breaks. In most cases employees are entitled to an 11-hour break every 24 hours, at least 20 minutes during 6 hours of work and a break of 24 hours in every 7 days:
- Encourage your employees to take breaks. If possible, provide somewhere away from the work station where employees could go to eat their lunch.
- If your employees have duties, such as representing others, carrying out health and safety duties or anything similar, it is likely that this will be counted as work.
- Although you are not required to ‘police’ breaks, you should note if you have any employees who routinely eat their lunch sitting at their desk and continue to work whilst eating. They are not taking a break and you should talk to them about this.
- Ensure that your employees do not feel obliged to be answering emails in the evenings and at weekends, unless there is an emergency.
If you would like clarity on this or any other HR management issue please contact the ProAktive HR team on 01302 341344.