Breaks & smoke breaks

[sythai]

Evening All

Just seeing what others policy on breaks ( & smoke breaks) are.

I'm a non-smoker so would be good to have feedback from both smokers & non-smokers.

I presently work alongside both my apprentices who both smoke and need their fix as often as they can.

The way we have it at the moment is for a standard day 08:00-17:00 (if there is such a thing):

Break around 10:00 (10/15 mins)
Break around 13:00 (15/20 mins)
2 to 3 smoke breaks at 5/10 mins each

I pay a full 9 hour day and don't deduct anything for their breaks.

And theres me that just stops for 15mins throughout the whole day if I'm lucky.... boo hoo :sweatdrop:

Any thoughts please, do others deduct for breaks ? And how long do you allow.

Have nothing in their contracts as of yet regarding breaks.

Thanks Sy

 

[shanky887614]

the thing is if you employ them I think by law they are entitled to so much time for breaks.

ill be honest a lot of big firms have longer breaks than that.

10am for breakfast
13 for lunch
3pm for tea etc.

we usually stop to eat a sandwich anywhere from 10-13 and then back to it

 

[telectrix]

it's pretty standard to have 15mins around 10.00am with pay. 30mins lunch break without pay. you should be paying 8+1/2 hours. smoke breaks are at your discretion.

 

[Plonker 3]

Do they set a alarm to get their fix when asleep too? I doubt it so point out to them they can go 8 hours at night without a smoke so just 3 or 4 hours shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Dan23584]

I have always deducted 30mins for lunch, this was what I have experienced when I was employed also.

 

[Adam W]

I smoke, but I don't take any extra breaks - one in the morning, one at break time, one (maybe 2) at lunch, then one after work. If I'm outside anyway for a work-related reason I might sneak in an ad-hoc cigarette, but I'm not one of these people who has to down tools every hour for an extra 10 minute break, and I resent being accused of doing so,
On one job we were outside getting stuff out of the container or something and took the opportunity for a cigarette, then this 50-something ex-IT labourer (you know the type) chirps in with "I think I should start smoking", the reason being because he thought it would entitle him to 'extra breaks'; of course the point was we were smoking because we were outside, we hadn't gone outside to smoke.

Years ago when I worked in an office there was this old woman who used to 'down tools' and go off for an extra 15 minute break every afternoon as a reward for not smoking. I suppose she assumed all the smokers were taking extra breaks (they weren't) so ironically she was taking more breaks than everyone else, and still moaning about it.

 

[trev]

I smoke but when I'm at work I only do it if there's an official break or if I'm going to get something from a store outside. My view is why should I get a break just because of my bad habit. (that obviously only applies if I'm subbing) You're paid to work not to have a tab.
Now ok, I don't think anyone ever does a full shift. There's always banter going on and that means that you'll stop for a couple of minutes for a crack with the lads but that's expected and is all part of working on site as part of a team

 

[davesparks]

When I was working for a company I would always stop working when the smokers went outside for their smokes.

 

[trev]

When I was working for a company I would always stop working when the smokers went outside for their smokes.

I've actually pulled people up when they've skived off for their hourly tab.

 

[davesparks]

The boss was the worst culprit when he showed his face on site!

I'm talking about the real boss here, the one who's grandad started the company and we all had massive respect for, not the idiot middle-management we all suffered from.

 

[Guest77]

I would suggest you tell them they have 20 mins at 10am, 30 mins at 1pm and 10 mins at 3-30pm and they can smoke during those 3 breaks and no other time, they need to learn standing about smoking is not in their job title.

 

[rapparee]

our place has an official smoke hut and allows smokers an extra break between 3.00 and 3.30, however the majority of workers are general operators so they still have to hit he same output targets as non smokers so they usually make it a quick 5min job

 

[dazza1981]

I think to be honest it is at your discretion whether you allow it or not.....perhaps make it clear you dont mind them having a ciggy but dont take the **** !!!!
Anyway im going for a smoke be back soon !!!

 

[sythai]

Cheers Guys..

Think we may have a change around.

No smoke breaks, but half hour lunch and 15mins t, deduct half hour lunch.

We'll see how that goes down tomorrow.

Im not fussed either way really, they're both hard workers.

(If we work later..10hours plus always give them another break and usually a Maccys)

 

[Guest77]

if you have more staff in the future and 2 or 3 keep going out for smoke breaks the others who do not smoke may get upset lol, that may be fun for you to handle haha

 

[trev]

I think the key to any employer/employee relationship is a bit of give and take on both sides. Whe I was a leader of men I'd let the lads go early if they had done everything that was expected of them, likewise if the job needed an extra half an hour or so I expected them to stick around and get it done. It very soon becomes clear who is prepared to be a bit flexible and who wants it all their own way, once that's established the flexible ones get a better crack of the whip.
As long as someone isn't taking the mick then I'm happy to turn a blind eye to a lot of things as long as the graft gets done properly.

 

[dazza1981]

Nicorette patches over there eyes so they cant find there ciggys. What i have found in the past is that smokers actually think they have a right to these little breaks Just because they smoke and that annoys the hell out of the non smokers which then causes ****e between your employess which in turn wastes more of your time !!!!!

 

[rapparee]

Cheers Guys..

Think we may have a change around.

No smoke breaks, but half hour lunch and 15mins t, deduct half hour lunch.

We'll see how that goes down tomorrow.

Im not fussed either way really, they're both hard workers.

(If we work later..10hours plus always give them another break and usually a Maccys)

it is a bit miserable to be cutting their wages after already paying them for their lunch, your effectively giving them a pay cut
, you even said yourself they're both hard workers

 

[JD6400]

I find that these E cigs are starting to be more of a problem than the originals , at least with a true cigarette there was a defined down time whilst having one .
With the electronic version I have noticed that it can spend the whole day in someone's hand if not pointed out .

 

[dingledong]

I don't smoke and when on the job really work hard til my breaks

So start 10till 11 then half an hour break 11.30 till 1.30 then an hour break then flat out till 4 with just 2 breaks for a drink

 

[Octopus]

I think that mobile phones are more time consuming (wasting) than smoking these days!

 

[trev]

I don't smoke and when on the job really work hard til my breaks

So start 10till 11 then half an hour break 11.30 till 1.30 then an hour break then flat out till 4 with just 2 breaks for a drink

You're just the kind of man I've been looking for, do you want a job.







Bankrupting my competition

 

[7029 dave]

I never needed to stop,at my hilmor threading and setting conduit with a smoke hanging out of me gob.lol

 

[markhtly]

Half hour break at 10 , half hour break at 1300 . If it's a twelve hour shift , quick brew at 1600 .

I reckon a smoker will always find a way of having a 'crafty' smoke with the gaffers blessing or not . Perhaps better to let them have a tab now and again but make sure they don't take the michael . As long as a good days graft is done , can't see a problem .

 

[telectrix]

wasn't a problem till the anti smoking . anti booze fascists took over the asylum. smoke whenever you wanted one while working anywhere, ( excepting hazardous areas like petrol forecourts ). 12.00noon, down the local for 4 pints and a pie. back to work at 13.30, muddle through til 16.30

 

[dingledong]

You're just the kind of man I've been looking for, do you want a job.







Bankrupting my competition

I only charge £50 for the day though

 

[jaypp]

I'm a smoker and have one on way to work for 8am. Quick sandwich about 10 and ciggy, about 15mins paid. Around 1pm is half hour unpaid but usually only 20mins with cig as no point stopping longer unless with a good group of blokes. Finish about 4.30 depending on job and have cig on way home. If working outside, may have others whilst working. The way I see it is I'm not paid to stop and have a cigarette - gaffer didn't ask me to be a smoker and it looks bad concerning client. Similarly as Murdoch pointed out, I'm not paid to chat unnecessarily on phone!!

 

[telectrix]

you seem to be OK with my work hours. consider yourself hired. btw, hired hands buy the beer.

this was aimed at dingledong.

 

[dingledong]

I am your man but where you live ???? It will be a 1pm start and finish at 3 pm but won't take the p, I will only have a 30minute break

 

[Kate]

Im a smoker. I dont have ANY official breaks, but I stop for a water/smoke break whenever I want. If we feel we want a cuppa tea, I smoke while it brews and take it inside when it's ready.
From doing this for maybe 2/3 yrs I dont eat during the day unless I feel weak which is very rare

 

[Guest77]

Filthy Habit Kate, it is like kissing an ashtray, yuk

 

[Kate]

Actually in process of quitting. Trying the champix. Need to quit as I just got a puppy...I see long walks in my future lol

 

[dingledong]

Mjd you snog ashtrays ? ?

 

[Guest77]

Mjd you snog ashtrays ? ?

simpleton

 

[sythai]

Cheers Guys..

Think we may have a change around.

No smoke breaks, but half hour lunch and 15mins t, deduct half hour lunch.

We'll see how that goes down tomorrow.

Im not fussed either way really, they're both hard workers.

(If we work later..10hours plus always give them another break and usually a Maccys)

After all that sticking with original plan for now..... keeps everybody happy, they're good lads and I do work them hard

 

[dingledong]

simpleton

You said it not me about snogging ashtrays

 

[shanky887614]

Actually in process of quitting. Trying the champix. Need to quit as I just got a puppy...I see long walks in my future lol

try the vapes, if its harsh on your thrpat you can play with the mix so it isnt

I really like my sweets so im thinking of getting the flavour ones with no nicotine in them.

 

[trev]

You'll have to post up a picture of your puppies Kate.

 

[moospark]

You'll have to post up a picture of your puppies Kate.

If the one with the pink nose is for sale?

 

[ferg]

I'm a smoker.

A couple in the morning with coffee and checking forum.
I've always a smoke on the go in the van.

If i'm working at the same place all day then I stop when I need a break.

Usually 1 at lunchtime and 1 or 2 after that.

 

[Kate]

I only have the one puppy.

 

[Kate]

 

[ferg]

That pup is clearly asking for me to take it home.

I'm ashamed of you kate you have clearly gone against the pups wishes by not bringing her here to her forever home

 

[Kate]

You want her???
She won't stop biting at the moment. She has razor teeth

 

[Octopus]

Cute. And her name is?

 

[Kate]

Lily. Although shes called a few other things sometimes lol

 

[Octopus]

Lily. Although shes called a few other things sometimes lol

Like the phantom widdler no doubt!

 

[Kate]

Shes not bad on that. Had her pretty much toilet trained in a week. Just get a few excitable dribbles now and then. Its the biting. Rips us open, and is obsessed with power cables

 

[Spoon]

Silly post about not smoking while they are asleep so they shouldn't at work....
I'm also a smoker, but don't smoke at work.
I don't mind people who nip out for a smoke. It only takes 5 mins. You can't dock pay for people smoking. What next, non-payed toilet breaks. Its good for people to have a break for a bit. It makes them more productive. As long as people don't take the P, like the old fogies who take a paper to the toilet and sit there for ages, then all is good.

 

[Guest111]

I never stopped for an official dinner break as I don,t eat during the day,a smoke when I want one and I,m happy.At the last place I worked the gaffer was well known for being on everyones back,yet I,d stroll in at 8 and make a hot chocolate during winter,then have a smoke then set to work,the guy never said a word.One day somebody asked him how come he "let me get away with a smoke and a drink" first thing.his reply was "when you do as much in a day as he does then you can do what he does".