Dear member

UNISON would like to clarify the following with regards to meal breaks at the end of a shift. If a member hasn’t had a meal break during the shift and by completing the break it would take them past their finishing time the member has every right to leave station and go home after signing out. The major incident excuse is not valid simply because you don’t have to be contactable during your own time (already established through grievance). UNISON completely disagrees with the response from a manager from the medical directorate below.

My interpretation of your time at work is that if on a 12 hour shift you must be available for work during those 12 hours.

During this time you will receive a break which is unpaid and therefore does not form part of your calculated actual working hours.  During this time you are free to leave Trust premises and undertake any activity which is permissible under the YAS code of conduct (you will note that this policy refers to any time you are in uniform not just times you are "at work").  The reason for you remaining contactable is so that in the unlikely event of a major incident you can be recalled to work.  The most sensible and effective way is for you to keep your airwave handset with you.

Although I would not expect you to be "monitoring" the talk group as such.

You are permitted to leave station but must be present at work at the end of your shift unless on a specific occasion you are permitted to leave work early by permission of a relevant manager.

I hope that clarifies the position.

Best wishes

Dave

Dr David Macklin

UNISON believes that it is ridiculous the amount of occasions where members aren’t getting a break. If a members has gone 11.5 hours without one they have every right to go home. UNISONs initial response to the above was

This is completely wrong, you do not have to be contactable whilst on your UNPAID break and certainly do not need to carry your airwave with you, its UNISON opinion that you have every right to leave station and go home after a shift without a break, it's your time!!!!!!! thanks

THE MEAL BREAK POLICY CAN ONLY BE SUSPENDED IF A MAJOR INCIDENT HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN DECLARED