(10 Apr 2014, 6:42 pm)aureolin wrote I'm quite surprised that unpaid breaks exist, baring in mind the nature of the industry. I realise it's not a legal requirement in the UK, but is this industry standard nowadays?
What happens if a late running service causes you to run into your break. Does the driver still get the full break, or would that cause a potential knock on affect on the driver's next assignment on rota? Not to mention that it creates a two tier workforce.
Most companies are heading towards unpaid meal breaks, and I think it will become the industry standard if not already. I work in an office, and I do not get paid for my lunch break.
There is normally only a % of the meal break unpaid, say 30 or 35 mins (most duties have more than that for a meal break) unless low cost and that can be up to an hour unpaid (providing there is an hour of meal break).
Spare drivers are available to take over the drivers next portion of work if the driver has come in late, of course this applies to paid meal break staff as well as they need a certain amount of time off anyway. You can only drive 5:30 then you need a break under driving regulations.