Where are you doing your Christmas shopping this year?

[ct3012]

Personally, I did a lot of mine on Play.com and Amazon but after reading this article in the Sunday Times, I feel a bit guilty about it. At the same time, I'm not sure I'd stop buying online from Amazon even though they are so harsh on their employees.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article5337770.ece

Does this make anyone else feel a bit arse twitchey?

[ojk6]

Yes, it did me... especially as I got them to wrap the stuff for me as well. Although I heard that it's just as bad if you order something from Argos for delivery. I don't suppose you can beat actually going in to a shop and buying something, but that tends to cost more and I would have to transport the stuff South with me...

[the Empress]

Sounds awful (and damned dodgy too).

I've done most of my shopping at the Pier as it's closing down (adminstration, argh) and I get staff discount. It's sad, especially as they're all such great people:S Having worked from 9am to 3pm, without a drink and sill having a huge queue I just declared I was on a break . . . wouldn't cut it at Amazon!

[ct3012]

I thought working 8.30 - 6 on boxing day in a large Currys store, having to face the masses and with no proper breaks was bad!
Are there not any laws that mean you have to have a certain amount of breaks depending on your shift length? Or are Amazon just getting by this by the skin of their teeth?

[RandomMusings]

I thought working 8.30 - 6 on boxing day in a large Currys store, having to face the masses and with no proper breaks was bad!
Are there not any laws that mean you have to have a certain amount of breaks depending on your shift length? Or are Amazon just getting by this by the skin of their teeth?

I believe there are some sort of laws along the lines of one 15 minute break for every 4 hours worked on a shift.
If you are working overnights - I believe this lengthens slightly to 20 mins per 4 hours.

[Cain]

I believe there are some sort of laws along the lines of one 15 minute break for every 4 hours worked on a shift.
If you are working overnights - I believe this lengthens slightly to 20 mins per 4 hours.

I think that that only applies to people who work shifts of over six hours.

Of course, my brother used to work at a McDonalds in Glasgow and was ordered to take his break 20 minutes into an 8 hour shift. Some bosses don't really care.

[the Empress]

I don't think you're entitles to a break if you work 4 hour shifts. I've been told by employers this in the past anyway.

[RandomMusings]

Sorry, I should have said 'more than' four hours.

I used to get nothing for a 4 hour shift, but 15 minutes if I did a 4 1/4 hour shift. If I did 6 hours, then I'd get 20minutes and for 8 hours it was 30 minutes (either in one go or as two 15s). I can't imagine my employer would have been granting us more than they had too - although I guess things might have changed since I last worked a day shift for them.... switched to nights a couple of years back.

[Kegrad]

It's 20 minutes break in a shift that's over 6 hours for those over 18. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10029451

You've just all had really nice employers! When I worked at Brewer's Fayre (owned by Whitbread, who also own Pizza Hut, Costa etc) for a summer we were told this was all that they had to give us.

I think it's interesting that people are saying Amazon shouldn't be doing this, rather than the law should be changed - if the law was changed it would create a more level playing field for everyone.

[kas481]

In my company we have the following rules for breaks:
under or 4 hours - no break
under 6 hours - 15 min break, no food provided
under 8 hours -20 min break, food provided
over 8 hours - 30 min break, food provided

[Cain]

At my current job we work for an hour and three quarters, get a fifteen minute break, work for an hour and three quarters, get a fifty minute lunch break and then work for an hour and three quarters before we go home.

At the job I had when I was an undergrad we had a fifteen minute break every two hours, then a half hour break at the middle of our 8 hour shift. In one department, we also had a quick five minute cuppy break every hour, or at the end of a batch.

[Guest]

the empress - what Pier is going into Administration?

[the Empress]

*eye roll* 'The Pier' is a chain of shops selling furniture, candles, random glittery things.

[emily-c]

I love the pier so sad it's going. I will miss those ginger peach candles...*sniff*