What are the minimum break times that are required to be given to employees? I am asking s my partner is working in a prison, and on an 8hour shift they have no rest period, they only eat if they get the chance to eat with the children, surely provisions must be made to allow for adequate breaks? They also work a double shift, which runs from 7am to 2200pm (often followed by a 7am start the next day!!) they are actually allowed a 30minute break! i am no expert in working times but surely the shift itself is wrong before we start on the breaks and food allowances tht are made? being a prison they are not allowed to take anything in with them or leave the centre as it is a secure environment! All opinions and advice will be appreciated!!

(Copy n paste from the Working Time Regs) Rest breaks 12. - (1) Where an adult worker's daily working time is more than six hours, he is entitled to a rest break. (2) The details of the rest break to which an adult worker is entitled under paragraph (1), including its duration and the terms on which it is granted, shall be in accordance with any provisions for the purposes of this regulation which are contained in a collective agreement or a workforce agreement. (3) Subject to the provisions of any applicable collective agreement or workforce agreement, the rest break provided for in paragraph (1) is an uninterrupted period of not less than 20 minutes, and the worker is entitled to spend it away from his workstation if he has one. (4) Where a young worker's daily working time is more than four and a half hours, he is entitled to a rest break of at least 30 minutes, which shall be consecutive if possible, and he is entitled to spend it away from his workstation if he has one. (5) If, on any day, a young worker is employed by more than one employer, his daily working time shall be determined for the purpose of paragraph (4) by aggregating the number of hours worked by him for each employer. (Additional Info) http://www.direct.gov.uk...rsAndTimeOff/DG_10029451

I've worked in a similar environment looking after prisoners and recognise the difficulty when you have to remain in the workplace and ready to respond at any time. We did. However manage to fit in a break throughout the shift as there is always some "sitting down" time during the day. The issue of not being allowed to take anything in may be a problem but if you negotiate with management that they should provide your refreshments at their cost that rule may be relaxed.