Members have raised questions with the Branch on specific points. We have raised these with PCS DWP Group and have received answers, the details are published below:

Question 1:

I have seen strange calculation for the new breaks arrangements such as:

• From 4hrs up to and including 5hrs = 20 minutes
• Above 5hrs and up to and including 6:15s = 25 minutes
• From above 6.15hrs to 7:24 = 30 minutes

 I thought that it was a formula based on 5 minutes for every hour, am I correct?

Answer:

The “calculations” for the new breaks, in addition to any daily meal break, are under Flexible Working Hours Agreement (FWHA)  paragraph 10.2: the rate of accrual for these breaks for all employees will be at a rate of one 5-minute break for each hour of the employee’s working day up to a total of 30 minutes daily.

How these breaks may be split is under FWHA Advice Q23:

Q23 Can I split my two 15-minute breaks so that I have more but shorter breaks?

Yes. In Operations, Debt Management and customer contact parts of Benefit Payment Systems Group you will have formal breaks in normal working time of no more than a total of 30 minutes daily and may choose to take two 15-minute breaks – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Alternatively, you may choose to take three 10-minute breaks or six 5-minute breaks. However, breaks must be managed within the team so that business delivery is not disrupted. Everyone cannot take a break at the same time. Colleagues should consult together so that there is adequate planning to meet individual and operational needs during the working day.

These breaks are intended to be short breaks of 15 minutes or less in addition to any daily meal break. Employees are also entitled to a 30 minute break as a daily meal break. Full-time employees are entitled to a paid one hour meal break. Part-time employees are entitled to an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes if working more than 5 hours in one day. FWHA Procedure 10.1 supports a part-time employee taking a 15 minute paid break during a lunch period: where part-time employees wish to take a 15-minute break (as described in 10.2) at lunch time, they should be allowed to do so wherever operationally possible.