What are my Breaks Entitlement in Work

Your right to breaks are protected under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. After 4.5 hours of work you are entitled to 15 minutes break. If the hours are greater than 6 hours the entitlement is 30 minutes which can include the 15 minute break already referred to. Breaks are not considered 'working time' so your employer does not have to pay you for your break.

Maternity Leave and Pregnancy

When your employer is informed that you are pregnant, they must conduct a pregnancy risk assessment regardless of the type of work you do. This is to protect the health of you and your unborn child.

Bullying and Harassment - Does not always have to be obvious

Employees in the workplace may be experiencing bullying that is less obvious than usual. For example
Unreasonable or unfounded refusal of annual leave, training or promotion opportunities; witholding of work related information; removing areas of responsibility and imposing menial tasks on a employee may constitute bullying.

Employers are obliged under employment law and equality law to ensure their employees are free from all types of bullying and harassment and experience dignity at work.

Your entitlement in an emergency

If you have a family emergency your employer is obliged to give you the day off which is paid. There are certain criteri but many Irish employees dont know of this right. This leave is entitiled 'Force Majure' leave and is restricted to a number of days in a12-36 month period.

Solve your problem in your workplace

Many people encounter day to day problems in their workplace such a change in their working conditions or their terms and conditions of employment. Perhaps there are unrealistic demands or pressurised tasks placed upon them. They may be experiencing a bullying situation or they may wish to check their annual leave entitlement. They may have returned from Maternity leave and notice their job has changed, they may wish to apply for parental leave or wish to reconcile their working life with their family status.

In a time constraining day they may not have time to seek advice from their Trade Union, they may not be members of a Trade Union. The Trade Union may give inadequate advice or not be assessible in such a short space of time.

Can you identify with this? Do you need advice that is up to date, practical, easy to follow and is based on current Irish employment law?