Your rights during breaks: know what you can do

Questioner

Hello, I would like to know more about my break and my rights and obligations in this. I work in 5 shifts and get paid for 8 hours of the 8 hours that I am present. Now we get a half hour paid break (they call this a flying break because we sometimes take a break later due to disruptions etc.) but my employer does not allow me to go outside and walk around the block because I have to stay on the premises during the break. Can an employer make this mandatory? If I walk around the block, I do not wear work clothes but my own clothes because we are not allowed to wear work clothes outside our company anyway.

Lawyer

Dear, According to the Working Hours Act, a break must last at least 15 minutes and must also interrupt the shift. If more than 5.5 hours are worked during a shift, there must be a break of at least 30 minutes. This break time may be divided into 2 x 15 minutes. If more than 10 hours are worked during a shift, the shift must be interrupted by at least a 45-minute break, possibly divided into 3 x 15 minutes. In the case of a collective arrangement, the break may be shortened to 15 minutes. In my experience, you can use the break as you wish. And walk around the block. Ask the employer why he wants you to stay on the premises. There may be a good reason. But make it a topic of discussion.